© 1994 by Oxford University Press
research-article |
Do Insults to the Developing Lung Increase the Incidence of Wheezing in Infants
Department of Pediatrics, Safdarjang Hospital Ansari-Nagar, New Delhi-110-029, India
*Institute for Research in Medical Statistics, I.C.M.R Ansari-Nagar, New Delhi-110-029, India
Dr A. K. Gupta, 151, Shakti-Vihar, Near Rani-Bagh, Delhi 110-034, India
This study reports on the possible role of perinatal and early infantile factors in the aetiology of the ‘wheezy baby syndrome’0. Over a 2 year period we recruited 150 infants from the outpatients department who had a typical wheezing attack, with chest X-ray showing only hyperinflation and non-specific increased markings, and who had been born in hospital with available perinatal and postnatal records. One hundred and fifty control infants were also recruited. A retrospective study was then undertaken comparing the two groups of infants for the incidence of neonatal problems and the incidence of previous lower respiratory tract infections. The results showed that 40 per cent of cases had previously had meconium aspiration syndrome compared with only 2.6 per cent of controls, and that 26.6 per cent of cases had previously had at least one lower respiratory tract infection compared with 5.3 per cent of controls. Other factors, including the incidence of transient tachypnea, and personal and family history of atopy, showed no significant trends. Meconium aspiration syndrome and lower respiratory tract infections are important aetiological factors in the patbogenesis of ‘wheezy baby syndrome’, rather than inheritance of atopic diathesis.