Expanding the application of a standardized questionnaire on recurrent wheezing in infancy.
OBJECTIVE
To verify the possibility of extending the application of an instrument to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of wheezing in infants.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study conducted as part of the International Study on Wheezing in Infants (EISL, Estudio Internacional de Sibilancias en Lactantes). A questionnaire was administered to parents of infants aged 12 to 15 months (group I) and 16 to 24 months (group II) infants.


RESULTS
One thousand, three hundred and sixty-four infants (45.4%) in group I and 250 (46.7%) in group II had had at least one episode (p = 0.58). The numbers of patients on inhaled beta(2)-agonists, inhaled or oral steroids and/or leukotriene modifiers were similar in both groups (p = 0.52, 0.12, 0.06, and 0.75). There were no differences between the groups in terms of night-time symptoms, shortness of breath, emergency room visits, asthma hospitalization or asthma diagnosed by a doctor (p = 0.09, 0.28, 0.54, and 0.45).


CONCLUSIONS
The application of the questionnaire can be extended to include infants up to 24 months of age.
Chong Neto
Herberto José
HJ
h.chong@uol.com.brMedicina Interna, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Rosário
Nelson Augusto
NA
D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires