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Do insults to the developing lung increase the incidence of wheezing in infants

A K Gupta1, S Shashi, I M Lamba

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|February 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal factors like meconium aspiration syndrome and lower respiratory infections significantly contribute to the

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • The 'wheezy baby syndrome' is a common condition in infants, with its etiology not fully understood.
  • Perinatal and early infantile factors are suspected contributors to the development of wheezy illness in infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of perinatal and early infantile factors in the development of 'wheezy baby syndrome'.
  • To compare the incidence of neonatal problems and lower respiratory tract infections between infants with wheezy syndrome and controls.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective case-control study involving 150 infants with wheezy baby syndrome and 150 control infants.
  • Infants were recruited from outpatient departments, with available perinatal and postnatal records.
  • Comparison focused on neonatal issues, including meconium aspiration syndrome, and previous lower respiratory tract infections.

Main Results:

  • 40% of cases had a history of meconium aspiration syndrome, versus 2.6% in controls.
  • 26.6% of cases had experienced at least one lower respiratory tract infection, compared to 5.3% in controls.
  • Transient tachypnea and atopy history showed no significant association with wheezy baby syndrome.

Conclusions:

  • Meconium aspiration syndrome and lower respiratory tract infections are significant etiological factors in wheezy baby syndrome.
  • The study suggests these perinatal events are more critical than inherited atopy in the pathogenesis.

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