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Long-term effects of pneumococcal colonization during early childhood wheezing

Katri Backman1,2, Eija Piippo-Savolainen3, Hertta Ollikainen4

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. katri.backman@kuh.fi.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|February 3, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization in infants with their first wheezing episode does not predict long-term asthma, atopy, or lung function issues. This finding holds true through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric respiratory health
  • Microbiome and immune development
  • Longitudinal cohort studies

Background:

  • Wheezing in early childhood is common and linked to short-term relapses.
  • The long-term impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNC) colonization on wheezing outcomes remains unclear.
  • Investigating PNC's role in persistent respiratory issues is crucial for understanding childhood asthma development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if PNC colonization during the first infant wheezing episode influences long-term asthma, atopy, or lung function.
  • To assess the 30-year impact of early-life pneumococcal colonization on respiratory health trajectories.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 83 infants hospitalized for their first wheezing episode before 24 months.
  • Defined PNC colonization via positive nasopharyngeal aspirates on admission.
  • Tracked participants for atopy, recurrent wheezing, asthma, and lung function until ages 28-31 years.

Main Results:

  • PNC colonization was identified in 30% (25/83) of infants during their initial wheezing hospitalization.
  • No significant association was found between early PNC colonization and later atopy, recurrent wheezing, or asthma.
  • Pneumococcal colonization did not impact lung function measurements at ages 8-10, 18-20, or 28-31 years.

Conclusions:

  • Early childhood pneumococcal colonization during the first wheezing episode is not a determinant of long-term respiratory outcomes.
  • The study suggests that PNC colonization in this context does not predispose individuals to developing asthma, atopy, or impaired lung function later in life.
Abstract

Keywords:
Streptococcus pneumoniaeasthmaatopylung functionwheezing

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