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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Reduced baseline lung function in asymptomatic and symptomatic infants with recurrent asthma-like symptoms
Javier Mallol1, Camposano Viviana Aguirre-2, Gustavo Falbo Wandalsen3
1Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Hospital and CRS El Pino, University of Santiago de Chile (USACH); javier.mallol@usach.cl.
Allergologia Et Immunopathologia
|May 11, 2026
Summary
Infants with recurrent asthma-like symptoms (RALS) show significantly reduced lung function (LF) even when asymptomatic. This early LF deficit may explain frequent, severe episodes in RALS infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Infant Health
Background:
- Recurrent asthma-like symptoms (RALS) are common in infants under two years old, often presenting as wheezing and cough.
- Severe RALS exacerbations frequently lead to emergency department visits or hospitalizations.
- Limited data exists on lung function (LF) in RALS infants during symptomatic vs. asymptomatic periods and compared to healthy controls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare lung function (LF) in infants with RALS during symptomatic and asymptomatic periods against healthy controls.
- To identify factors associated with abnormal lung function in infants with RALS.
Main Methods:
- Lung function (LF) was measured in 264 infants (<15 months) with RALS (94 symptomatic, 170 asymptomatic) and 44 healthy controls using rapid thoracic compression.
- Measurements were converted to z-scores for statistical analysis and comparison.
Main Results:
- Infants with RALS had significantly lower mean LF than healthy infants, both when symptomatic and asymptomatic.
- Symptomatic RALS infants exhibited lower LF than asymptomatic RALS infants.
- Pregnancy smoking, frequent wheezing (≥7 episodes), and family asthma history correlated with abnormal FEV0.5 in RALS infants.
Conclusions:
- Infants with RALS demonstrate significantly reduced lung function (LF) during symptomatic episodes.
- Even when asymptomatic, RALS infants show substantially lower LF than healthy infants.
- These early LF deficits in RALS infants may explain the high prevalence of frequent and severe episodes observed clinically.
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