The relationship between pneumonia in early childhood and impaired lung function in late adult life.
This study related respiratory illness documented in the first 2 yr of life to the lung function of 618 men and women with a mean age of 70 yr living in Derbyshire, England. Pneumonia before 2 yr of age was associated with a lower mean FEV1, adjusted for age and height. In men, the difference was -0.65L (95% CI: -1.02, -0.29; p = 0.0005). This estimate did not diminish after adjustment for smoking and asthma. In women, the reduction in mean FEV1 associated with pneumonia before 2 yr of age was smaller and nonsignificant. Bronchitis, measles, and whooping cough before 2 yr of age were not associated with diminished adult lung function in either sex. The findings in men support a causal relationship between pneumonia in early childhood and COPD in late adult life.
Shaheen
S O
SO
MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, United Kingdom.
Barker
D J
DJ
Shiell
A W
AW
Crocker
F J
FJ
Wield
G A
GA
Holgate
S T
ST
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015984:Causality; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity