Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice
Published on: April 13, 2010
Effect of whooping cough in infancy on subsequent lung function and bronchial reactivity
Insights
Whooping cough (pertussis) in infancy does not appear to cause long-term respiratory issues or lung function deficits in children. However, children with a predisposition to respiratory problems may be more susceptible to severe whooping cough.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Whooping cough (pertussis) is a significant respiratory infection in infants.
- Long-term sequelae of infant whooping cough require further investigation.
- Previous studies suggest potential links between childhood respiratory illnesses and prior infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term respiratory health outcomes in children previously hospitalized for whooping cough.
- To assess lung function and bronchial reactivity in children with a history of severe infant whooping cough.
- To determine if whooping cough is a causal factor for later respiratory morbidity.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study comparing 36 children hospitalized for whooping cough (cases) with 36 age- and sex-matched controls.
- Assessment of respiratory symptoms, atopy, and family history of wheezing.
- Pulmonary function tests including maximal expiratory flow volume loops and single-breath nitrogen washout.
- Bronchial reactivity testing using histamine challenge (PC20).
Main Results:
- Respiratory symptoms were more frequent in cases but not statistically significant.
- Cases showed a significantly higher prevalence of atopy or family history of wheezing.
- No significant differences were found in lung function indices or bronchial reactivity between cases and controls.
Conclusions:
- Infant whooping cough is unlikely to be a direct cause of later respiratory illnesses or reduced lung function.
- Children with pre-existing factors predisposing to respiratory morbidity may be more prone to severe whooping cough.
- The study provides evidence against whooping cough as a significant risk factor for chronic respiratory conditions in childhood.
Abstract:
Thirty-six children younger than 1 yr of age hospitalized for whooping cough approximately 9 yr previously (cases) were compared with 36 control children of the same age and sex. Subjects were sampled from participants in an earlier large field study of the long-term sequelae of whooping cough. Respiratory symptoms were more common in cases, although the differences were not statistically significant. Cases were significantly more likely either to be atopic or to have a family history of wheezing illness. There were no significant differences between cases and control subjects in lung function indices derived from maximal expiratory flow volume loops or from single-breath nitrogen washout tests or in bronchial reactivity as judged by the histamine challenge PC20. The evidence from both the present and the earlier study indicates that whooping cough is unlikely to be a causal factor in later respiratory illnesses and symptoms and that no deficit in lung function can be detected in later childhood. The disease may, however, occur more frequently or be more easily recognized in children with environmental or constitutional factors that predispose to respiratory morbidity.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
01:28Asthma I: Introduction
01:23Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features