title: [Risk factors for recurrent upper airways infections in pre-school children].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Upper respiratory infections constitute an important cause of morbidity among pre-school children. In many cases the frequent occurrence of these processes represent an atopic manifestation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify risk factors for the presentation of recurrent upper respiratory infections in pre-school children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a longitudinal study of patients and controls, with the application of an environmental factors inquiry to all participant individuals, such as nasopharyngeal secretions culture, allergy skin tests and measurement of serum immunoglobulins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most frequent respiratory infections were pharyngo-tonsillitis (32%) and adenoiditis (30%). The bacterial cultures were positive in 30% of the patients. The most frequent isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus. The most important risk factors for recurrent upper respiratory infections were: sensitization to house dust mites (OR:106), high levels of IgE (OR:27.7), atopic condition (OR 10.5), parental smoking (OR:4.8) and low concentrations of IgG (OR:14) and IgA (OR:8.7). Exclusive breast-feeding and adequate weaning resulted protective factors against upper respiratory recurrent infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sensitization to house dust mites, high serum IgE and atopic history were the most important allergic hypersensitivity related risk factors for developing recurrent respiratory infections in pre-school children. We recommend to modify the environmental conditions linked to allergic sensitization and to favour protective factors such as exclusive breast-feeding and adequate weaning in order to diminish recurrent respiratory infections in childhood.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Pedi·trico Universitario William Soler, calle San Francisco, esquina Perla, Altahabana, Boyeros, Cuba.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciria-Martin
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caravia-Bernardo
authors.forename: Mirta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Álvarez-Castelló
authors.forename: Concepción
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Insua-Arregui
authors.forename: Teddy Osmin
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Tamargo-Barbeito
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Massip-Nicot
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E