Abstract
Within a longitudinal study of lung function in 243 infants, we identified a group of 23 individuals with flow limitation in tidal expiration. In infancy, flow-limited children have reduced lung function and increased airway responsiveness (AR), and at 2 years of age they are diagnosed with asthma more frequently. We hypothesized that these observations would persist throughout childhood. Data from ages 3 to 11 years were analyzed. Only at 4 years of age did the flow-limited group have increased wheeze compared with other cohort members (odds ratio, 4.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 16.2; p = 0.04; n = 114). At 6 years of age, 117 cohort members were seen. The flow-limited group (n = 14) had greater AR (p = 0.009) and reduced mean FEV1 (131 ml; 95% CI, 16 to 246; p = 0.03) and FEF25-75 (0.28 L/second; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.52; p = 0.02). At 11 years of age, 183 children were seen and the flow-limited group (n = 18) had greater AR (p = 0.02) and a trend toward reduced mean FEF25-75 (0.24 L/second; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.49; p = 0.08). Atopy and parental asthma were not increased in the flow-limited group. We suggest that the physiologic abnormality that causes flow limitation in early infancy may identify an at-risk group, different from asthma, who have reduced lung function and increased airway responsiveness in later life.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1294-1298 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine |
Volume | 165 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2002 |
Keywords
- bronchial hyperreactivity
- child
- longitudinal studies
- respiratory function tests
- AIRWAY RESPONSIVENESS
- LUNG-FUNCTION
- BRONCHIAL RESPONSIVENESS
- PULMONARY-FUNCTION
- CHILDHOOD ASTHMA
- RISK FACTOR
- LIFE
- METHACHOLINE
- CHILDREN
- HYPERRESPONSIVENESS