Journal Article

Wheezing Rhinovirus Illnesses in Early Life Predict Asthma Development in High-Risk Children

Salazar, Lisa P, Carlson-Dakes, Kirsten T, Anderson, Elizabeth L, Gern, James E, Lemanske, Robert F., Jr, Gangnon, Ronald E, Jackson, Daniel J, Printz, Magnolia C, Roberg, Kathy A, Shult, Peter A, Tisler, Christopher J, Evans, Michael D, Pappas, Tressa E, Lee, Wai-Ming, Reisdorf, Erik, DaSilva, Douglas F

2008

Overview

Abstract Rationale Virus-induced wheezing episodes in infancy often precede the development of asthma. Whether infections with specific viral pathogens confer differential future asthma risk is incompletely understood. Objectives To define the relationship between specific viral illnesses and early childhood asthma development. Methods A total of 259 children were followed prospectively from birth to 6 years of age. The etiology and timing of specific viral wheezing respiratory illnesses during early childhood were assessed using nasal lavage, culture, and multiplex reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. The relationships of these virus-specific wheezing illnesses and other risk factors to the development of asthma were analyzed. Measurements and Main Results Viral etiologies were identified in 90% of wheezing illnesses. From birth to age 3 years, wheezing with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (odds ratio [OR], 2.6), rhinovirus (RV) (OR, 9.8), or both RV and RSV (OR, 10) was associated with increased asthma risk at age 6 years. In Year 1, both RV wheezing (OR, 2.8) and aeroallergen sensitization (OR, 3.6) independently increased asthma risk at age 6 years. By age 3 years, wheezing with RV (OR, 25.6) was more strongly associated with asthma at age 6 years than aeroallergen sensitization (OR, 3.4). Nearly 90% (26 of 30) of children who wheezed with RV in Year 3 had asthma at 6 years of age. Conclusions Among outpatient viral wheezing illnesses in infancy and early childhood, those caused by RV infections are the most significant predictors of the subsequent development of asthma at age 6 years in a high-risk birth cohort.

• Publisher: Am Thoracic Soc,Oxford University Press,American Lung Association,American Thoracic Society
• Subject: A. Asthma and Allergy / Age / Allergens / Allergies / Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy / Asthma / Asthma - virology / Biological and medical sciences / Child / Child, Preschool / Childhood / Childrens health / Emergency and intensive cardiocirculatory care. Cardiogenic shock. Coronary intensive care / Etiology / Female / Humans / Illnesses / Immunization / Infant / Infant, Newborn / Infections / Influenza / Intensive care medicine / Male / Medical sciences / Odds Ratio / Picornaviridae Infections - immunology / Polymerase chain reaction / Prospective Studies / Respiratory diseases / Respiratory Sounds - immunology / Respiratory syncytial virus / Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - immunology / Risk Factors / Skin Tests / Viral infections / Viruses