Of 13 135 children followed up from birth to the age of 5 years, 303 (2-3%) had febrile convulsions. Prior neurological abnormality had been noted in 13. Of the 290 remaining children, 57 (20%) presented with a complex convulsion, and 103 children (35%) went on to have further febrile convulsions.The risk of further febrile convulsions varied with the age at first convulsion and the presence of a history of convulsive disorders in relatives. There were no significant differences between the sexes.

No abstract

SummaryIn a British population cigarette smoking during pregnancy increased the late fetal plus neonatal mortality rate by 28% and reduced birth weight by 170 g, and these differences persist even after allowing for a number of "mediating" maternal and social variables. A change in smoking habit by the end of the fourth month of pregnancy places a mother in the risk category appropriate to her changed habit. This evidence should have important implications for health education aimed at getting pregnant mothers to give up smoking.

P Pr ro os sp pe ec ct ti iv ve e s st tu ud dy y o of f r ri is sk k f fa ac ct to or rs s f fo or r e ea ar rl ly y a an nd d p pe er rs si is st te en nt t w wh he ee ez zi in ng g i in n c ch hi il ld dh ho oo od d The independent determinants of wheezing by 5 yrs of age were male sex, maternal smoking during pregnancy (odds ratio (OR) for 15+ cigarettes·day -1 =1.39; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.22-1.58) and low birthweight (OR for birthweight <2.5 kg=1.26; 95% Cl 1.07-1.50). Of children who had wheezed by 5 yrs of age, 15% reported wheezing in the past 12 months at 16 yrs of age. The persistence of symptoms at 16 yrs of age was independently related to low maternal age (OR for 20 vs 40 yrs of age = 1.96; 95% CI 1.08-3.45) and to high social status (OR for most vs least advantaged=1.95; 95% CI 1.13-3.38).We conclude that low birth weight and maternal smoking in pregnancy are independent risk factors for early childhood wheezing, but in 85% of children with early wheezing it resolves by 16 yrs of age. Persistence of wheeze at 16 yrs of age is related to low maternal age and high socioeconomic status. Therefore, the factors involved in the aetiology of early childhood wheezing may be different from those associated with wheezing which persists into adolescence.

Objective To compare demographic, social, maternal, and infant related factors associated with partial immunisation and no immunisation in the first year of life in the United Kingdom. Design Prospective cohort study.