Respiratory History during Infancy and Childhood, and Respiratory Conditions in Adulthood

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to study respiratory disorders in infancy and childhood as a risk factor for respiratory conditions in adulthood. During the first part of the survey 15,247 adolescents in the Bordeaux area (average age: 16.5 years, boys = 46.6%) filled in a self-administered questionnaire concerning their respiratory history during infancy and childhood, their present symptoms and their smoking habits. Each subject with chronic cough (n = 538) was then matched with two controls (n = 1094) and the parents of these subjects and of their controls were sent a complementary questionnaire. During the second part, 1807 adults (average age: 39.3 years; men = 49.7%) working at Bordeaux University filled in a self-administered questionnaire about their present respiratory symptoms, smoking habits and respiratory symptoms during adolescence. Spirometry was performed in 172 adolescents and 1665 adults. The results of the first part showed a very significant relationship in adolescents between respiratory history during infancy and childhood and current chronic cough even in non-smokers, non-wheezers and non-asthmatics. The second part showed a very significant relationship in adults between respiratory symptoms during adolescence and present respiratory symptoms on the one hand, and a lower pulmonary function on the other, taking wheezing, smoking and asthma into account. In common with many similar studies, we conclude that respiratory disorders in young children may predispose to later disease, and that consequently it might be important to determine appropriate measures to prevent respiratory illness in childhood.

Hospital-Based Case-Control Study of Bronchiectasis in Indigenous Children in Central Australia

“…Although many groups have reported an association between lower respiratory infections in childhood and later respiratory morbidity, 12,15,16 this is the first case-control study of childhood pneumonia and radiologically proved bronchiectasis. The most striking observation in this study is the strong and significant association between hospitalized pneumonia and bronchiectasis, in particular recurrent (Ͼ1) hospitalized pneumonia and more severe pneumonia episodes with longer hospital stay and requirement for oxygen.…”

Non‐CF bronchiectasis: Clinical and HRCT evaluation

“…Respiratory illness in childhood is a risk factor for chronic respiratory morbidity and pulmonary dysfunction in adulthood. 1,2 The burden of respiratory illness, the second highest cause of death in adult indigenous males and females, and the commonest cause of hospitalization in children under 5 years in the Northern Territory, 3 remains high in indigenous Australians. 4 In most affluent countries, childhood bronchiectasis not related to underlying causes such as cystic fibrosis (CF), ciliary dyskinesia, immune deficiency, or focal lung abnormalities has largely disappeared in mainstream communities.…”

Accumulation of factors influencing respiratory illness in members of a national birth cohort and their offspring.

“…Since Reid and others drew attention to the presumptive link between childhood lower respiratory tract illness and later adult chronic bronchitis1-3 many studies have shown the association of early life lower respiratory illness with later increased risk of lower respiratory problems in childhood,>7 in adolescence or young adult life,"' and in older adults.' [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Migrant studies offer some confirmation of the childhood risks. '5 Evidence for the risk of lower respiratory illness during childhood from poor social and home circumstances, 16-19 parental smoking, 20-22 and exposure to high levels of atmospheric smoke pollution7-9 17 23 iS strong.…”