Predictors for wheezing phenotypes in the first decade of life.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined prenatal, perinatal and early childhood predictors of wheezing phenotypes in the first decade of life.


METHODS
Information on current wheezing, was collected prospectively from five surveys conducted every 2 years over the first decade of life. Five wheezing phenotypes were defined: non-wheezers, preschool, primary-school, intermittent and persistent wheezers. Logistic regression with adjustment for survey design was used to determine the predictors of wheezing phenotypes.


RESULTS
Data on 2711 children were used in the analysis. Early respiratory infection, the child's allergy and parental asthma were significant risk factors for preschool, intermittent and persistent wheeze. The child's allergy and parental asthma had stronger associations with persistent wheeze than with preschool wheeze. Breastfeeding was a significant predictor of both preschool and intermittent wheezing. Daycare attendance was a risk factor for preschool wheeze but a protective factor for primary-school wheezing. Crowding at home was a protective factor for both preschool and primary-school wheeze. Parental smoking was a significant factor for preschool wheeze.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identified different predictors for each wheezing phenotype with some degree of overlap. The observed differential effects for these conditions raises the possibility that there are different aetiologies for asthma among children.
Midodzi
William K
WK
Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. wmidodzi@ualberta.ca
Rowe
Brian H
BH
Majaesic
Carina M
CM
Saunders
L Duncan
LD
Senthilselvan
Ambikaipakan
A
D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010290:Parents; D010641:Phenotype; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors