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Bronchiolitis in young infants: is it a risk factor for recurrent wheezing in childhood?

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Abstract

Background

Acute bronchiolitis in infancy is considered a risk factor for recurrent wheezing episodes in childhood. The present study assessed prevalence, clinical manifestations and risk factors for recurrent wheezing events during the first 3 years of life and persistent wheezing events beyond this age in children hospitalized as young infants with acute bronchiolitis.

Methods

Two groups of children aged 6 years were included. The study group comprised 150 children with a history of hospitalization for bronchiolitis, with the first event at <6 months of age. The control group comprised 66 age- and sex-matched children with no history of bronchiolitis before 6 months of age. Children in both groups had been followed until 6 years of age by their pediatricians; data were obtained retrospectively by reviewing ambulatory records during children’s visits in pediatricians’ clinics. The data included epidemiological parameters, prevalence, age at onset, number of and treatments given for episodes of wheezing events prior to 6 years of age, pathogens detected, and severity of acute bronchiolitis in the study group.

Results

Overall, 58% and 27% of children in the study and control groups, respectively (P=0.001) had recurrent wheezing episodes prior to the age of 3 years. Children in the study group had earlier onset of recurrent wheezing, had more episodes of wheezing, and required more bronchodilator and systemic steroids treatments compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Hospitalization within the first six months of life for acute bronchiolitis is an independent risk factor for recurrent wheezing episodes during the first 3 years of life.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Department A’, HaEmeq Medical Center, POB 10535, 16100, Afula, Israel

    Firas Rinawi

  2. Pediatric Infectious Disease unit, Meyer Children Hospital, Haifa, Israel

    Imad Kassis

  3. The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport School of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

    Imad Kassis, Rina Tamir, Amir Kugelman, Isaac Srugo & Dan Miron

  4. Pediatric Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel

    Amir Kugelman & Isaac Srugo

  5. Pediatric Infectious Disease Consultation Service, HaEmeq Medical Center, Afula, Israel

    Dan Miron

Authors
  1. Firas Rinawi
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  2. Imad Kassis
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  3. Rina Tamir
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  4. Amir Kugelman
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  5. Isaac Srugo
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  6. Dan Miron
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Correspondence to Firas Rinawi.

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Rinawi, F., Kassis, I., Tamir, R. et al. Bronchiolitis in young infants: is it a risk factor for recurrent wheezing in childhood?. World J Pediatr 13, 41–48 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-016-0056-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-016-0056-4

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