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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
PubMed

Insights

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.
Abstract

Keywords:
airway narrowinginfantslung functionrecurrent asthma-like symptomsspirometry

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