Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice
09:58

A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice

Published on: April 14, 2010

Wheezing bronchitis reinvestigated at the age of 10 years

G Wennergren1, M Amark, K Amark

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Ostra University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|April 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Most children hospitalized for wheezing bronchitis in infancy outgrow asthma by age 10. However, persistent asthma is linked to other allergies, early wheezing, and home smoking exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Allergology

Background:

  • Wheezing bronchitis in infancy is a common pediatric respiratory issue.
  • Long-term outcomes and risk factors for persistent asthma following early-life wheezing require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term respiratory health of children previously hospitalized for wheezing bronchitis.
  • To identify predictors of persistent asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 92/101 children, initially hospitalized for wheezing bronchitis before age 2, were reinvestigated at age 10.
  • Clinical assessments, including evaluation for atopic diseases and smoking exposure, were conducted.
  • Histamine challenge tests were performed to assess bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Main Results:

  • At age 10, 70% of children were symptom-free, 20% had mild asthma, 8% moderate, and 2% severe asthma.
  • Persistent asthma correlated significantly with other atopic diseases, early infantile wheezing, and intense childhood obstructive disease.
  • A notable association emerged between infancy home smoking exposure and persistent asthma.
  • Histamine challenge results showed varying degrees of bronchial hyperresponsiveness, correlating with the clinical asthma picture.

Conclusions:

  • While many children recover from early wheezing bronchitis, a significant proportion develop persistent asthma.
  • Infancy risk factors, including atopic comorbidities and environmental exposures like home smoking, are critical predictors of persistent asthma.
  • The prevalence of persistent asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in this cohort exceeds general population rates, highlighting the long-term impact of early respiratory illness.

More Related Videos

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma14:39

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 5, 2010

Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease02:34

Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: May 10, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...