Follow up of Ventilatory Function in Infant After Bronchiolitis During the First Year of Life

Plain-language summary

A significant proportion of asthma is diagnosed during childhood. Bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory tract illness (LRI) in early life and the present work is a prospective study undertaken to highlight the possible relationship between LRI in early life and trigger of atopy and asthma in 3 year-old childhood, using paediatric lung function testing. Twenty nine infants (8 females and 21 males) were included in our study. The beginning of the study started at least three weeks after the first bronchiolitis episode. Pulmonary function test was realized using an infant specific body plethysmography (Babybody, Erich Jaeger, Germany). Same tests were performed at 18 and 24 months. At 30 and 36 months, pulmonary function was evaluated by measuring respiratory resistances using oscillometry and occlusion systems (Masterlab-IOS, Erich Jaeger, Germany). If measured data showed an obstruction, a bronchodilatator was inhaled to assess reversibility. When results were normal, a bronchial provocation test, using inhaled metacholine, was performed. Skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed during the first exam, and at 24 and 36 months (Stallergenes-DHS). Collection of data was largely incomplete due to a number of patients lost of follow up. Based on the available data, it can be conclude that most of lung tests results were in the normal range but a non negligible bronchial hyper reactivity was documented (41% of patients). This study must be continued to increase the number of included patients and to continue their follow up during a longer time.

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