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An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Association between respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization in infancy and childhood asthma
Jonathan Coutts1, John Fullarton2, Carole Morris3
1Neonatal Unit, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK.
Insights
Hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus in infancy significantly increases the risk of childhood asthma. This early-life infection is linked to higher rates and severity of asthma throughout development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Early childhood respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a known cause of respiratory morbidity.
- The specific impact of RSV hospitalization on the development of childhood asthma remains a subject of ongoing debate.
- Understanding this association is crucial for developing effective preventive strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalization in early childhood and the subsequent development of asthma.
- To quantify the risk of asthma hospital admissions and medication use in children with a history of RSV hospitalization.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from National Health Service Scotland.
- Children born between 1996 and 2011 were included, comparing those hospitalized for RSV in the first two years of life with a control group.
- Asthma hospital admissions and medication use were tracked up to 18 years of age.
Main Results:
- Children hospitalized for RSV in infancy had a three-fold higher risk of asthma hospitalizations and a two-fold higher rate of asthma medication use.
- RSV hospitalization was identified as a significant risk factor for asthma development, with increased rates and severity observed throughout childhood.
- The association remained significant, with RSV hospitalization being the most significant risk factor for asthma-related outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization in early life is strongly associated with significantly increased rates and severity of childhood asthma.
- These findings highlight the critical need for enhanced preventive measures against RSV infection in infants.
- The long-term respiratory health implications of RSV warrant further investigation and targeted interventions.
Introduction:
Respiratory syncytial virus infection in early childhood has been linked to longer-term respiratory morbidity; however, debate persists around its impact on asthma. The objective was to assess the association between respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization and childhood asthma.
Methods:
Asthma hospital admissions and medication use through 18 years were compared in children with (cases) and without (controls) respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization in the first 2 years of life. All children born in National Health Service Scotland between 1996 and 2011 were included.
Results:
Of 740 418 children (median follow-up: 10.6 years), 15 795 (2.1%) had a respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization at ≤2 years (median age: 143 days). Asthma hospitalizations were three-fold higher in cases than controls (8.4% vs 2.4%; relative risk: 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.1-3.5; P < .0001) and admission rates were four-fold higher (193.2 vs 46.0/1000). Cases had two-fold higher asthma medication usage (25.5% vs 14.7%; relative risk: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.7-1.8; P < .0001) and a three-fold higher rate of having both an asthma admission and medication (4.8% vs 1.5%; relative risk 3.1, 95% CI: 2.9-3.3; P < .0001). Admission rates and medication use remained significantly (P < .001) higher for cases than controls throughout childhood (admissions: ≥2-fold higher; medication: ≥1.5-fold higher). Respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization was the most significant risk factor for asthma hospitalizations±medication use (odds ratio: 1.9-2.8; P < .001).
Conclusions:
Respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization was associated with significantly increased rates and severity of asthma throughout childhood, which has important implications for preventive strategies.
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