Natural history of lung function in health and diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To outline major advances in the understanding of factors that influence lung function development through childhood.


RESULTS
New study approaches such as adjusting for 'tracking' or analysing without predefined phenotypes suggest that reduced lung function reported with several pre or coexisting features such as lower respiratory tract infections and early allergic sensitization may be spurious rather than causative. Also, two large, recent studies have clearly demonstrated that living close to major roads causes significant lung function deficits in school children, with the possible long-term impact this can have on health in adult life. Furthermore, it is becoming clear that we need to focus upon early life events that can cause harm as well as have a potential for catch-up growth or development in postnatal life.


CONCLUSIONS
The implications of these findings are clearly that there is a potential for intervening in a potential pathological development. Furthermore, there is a clear need to focus research upon early life events that can improve lung growth in the damaged lung and prevent damage to the potentially healthy lung at the very start of life.
Carlsen
Karin C Lødrup
KC
Department of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway. k.c.l.carlsen@medisin.uio.no
Håland
Geir
G
Carlsen
Kai-Håkon
KH
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000151:congenital / Q000821:virology; D021041:Placental Circulation / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*