title: Prevalence of asthma-like symptoms and assessment of lung function in schoolchildren born with low birth weight.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma-like symptoms among schoolchildren with low birth weight (LBW), and to compare the lung function of these children with that of children with normal birth weight.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a comparative cross-sectional study. We recruited children aged 8-11 years from eight primary schools in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. The children were divided into two groups: those with LBW (< 2,500 g) and those with normal birth weight (≥ 2,500 g). Parents of the enrolled children were asked to complete a translated version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. Lung function tests, done using a MicroLoop Spirometer, were performed for the children in both groups by a single investigator who was blinded to the children's birth weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of 'ever wheezed' among the children with LBW was 12.9%. This value was significantly higher than that of the children with normal birth weight (7.8%). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second, and forced expiratory flow when 50% and 75% of the FVC had been exhaled were significantly lower among the children with LBW as compared to the children with normal birth weight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LBW is associated with an increased prevalence of asthma-like symptoms and impaired lung function indices later in life. Children born with LBW may need additional follow-up so that future respiratory problems can be detected early.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nik
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zainal
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahardja
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Che Yusoff
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Faris Irfan
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ariffin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nasir
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wan Ibrahim
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Wan Pauzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mohamad Ikram
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Rostenberghe
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012574:Schools; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: asthma; child; low birth weight; lung function test; prevalence