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The effect of early growth patterns and lung function on the development of childhood asthma: a population based

Maribel Casas1,2,3,4,5, Herman T den Dekker1,2,6, Claudia J Kruithof1,6

  • 1The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Thorax
|August 2, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Early childhood growth patterns, like peak weight velocity and BMI at adiposity peak, are linked to reduced airway function. However, later adiposity peak age is associated with better lung function and lower asthma risk in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Childhood Development
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Infant weight gain correlates with diminished lung function and increased childhood asthma risk.
  • Detailed individual growth trajectories may offer superior prediction of respiratory issues compared to simple weight/height measurements.
  • Understanding early growth patterns is crucial for identifying risks of respiratory morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between early childhood growth patterns and lung function at age 10.
  • To determine the relationship between these growth patterns and the incidence of asthma at age 10.
  • To examine the influence of a child's current body mass index (BMI) on these associations.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal weight and height data from the first 3 years of life were used to derive peak height/weight velocity, BMI at adiposity peak, and age at adiposity peak for 4435 children.
  • Lung function was assessed at age 10 using spirometry, measuring forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and forced expiratory flow after exhaling 75% of vital capacity (FEF75).
  • Current asthma status was evaluated via questionnaire at age 10.

Main Results:

  • Increased peak weight velocity correlated with higher FVC but reduced FEV1/FVC and FEF75.
  • Higher BMI at adiposity peak was linked to increased FVC and FEV1, yet decreased FEV1/FVC and FEF75.
  • Later age at adiposity peak was associated with improved FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF75, especially in children with low birth weight, and a lower likelihood of asthma in boys.
  • Current BMI partially explained associations between peak weight velocity/BMI at adiposity peak and FVC/FEV1.
  • Peak height velocity showed no consistent association with lung function or asthma.

Conclusions:

  • Early childhood peak weight velocity and BMI at adiposity peak are linked to reduced airway patency relative to lung volume.
  • A later age at adiposity peak is associated with enhanced lung function parameters and a decreased risk of asthma at age 10, particularly in boys.
  • Childhood growth patterns significantly influence respiratory health outcomes later in childhood.
Abstract

Keywords:
asthmapaediatric asthma

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