Promotion of respiratory health in utero and during infancy.
The antenatal period and infancy are critical times for lung growth; hence insults to the foetus and young child may have severe and chronic effects on respiratory function. This is highlighted by review of the morbidity associated with parental smoking, respiratory syncytial virus infection, premature birth and invasive antenatal procedures. Promotion of respiratory health in utero and during infancy is possible by avoidance of such insults. This requires effective education about factors which impact on respiratory health, ongoing research to reduce the number of premature births and their complications, and careful assessment of the effect of all strategies on long-term pulmonary outcome, so that those which impinge unfavourably are not pursued.
Greenough
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Guy's King's & St Thomas' School of Medicine, Children Nationwide Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Centre, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution