Age-related changes in childhood wheezing characteristics: A whole population study.

Background: Wheezing illnesses are characterized by phenotypic variability, which changes with age, but few studies report on a wide age range of children. We studied how prevalence, severity, and triggers of wheeze vary throughout childhood.

Methods: We analyzed data from a large population-based cohort of children from Leicestershire, UK, who were followed from infancy through late adolescence using postal questionnaires.

Breastfeeding, lung volumes and alveolar size at school-age.

Background: Previous studies found larger lung volumes at school-age in formerly breastfed children, with some studies suggesting an effect modification by maternal asthma. We wanted to explore this further in children who had undergone extensive lung function testing. The current study aimed to assess whether breastfeeding was associated with larger lung volumes and, if so, whether all compartments were affected.

"Attacks" or "Whistling": Impact of Questionnaire Wording on Wheeze Prevalence Estimates.

Background: Estimates of prevalence of wheeze depend on questionnaires. However, wording of questions may vary between studies. We investigated effects of alternative wording on estimates of prevalence and severity of wheeze, and associations with risk factors.

Breastfeeding and childhood asthma: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Asthma and wheezing disorders are common chronic health problems in childhood. Breastfeeding provides health benefits, but it is not known whether or how breastfeeding decreases the risk of developing asthma. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between 1983 and 2012 on breastfeeding and asthma in children from the general population.

Comparison of phenotypes of childhood wheeze and cough in 2 independent cohorts.

Background: Among children with wheeze and recurrent cough there is great variation in clinical presentation and time course of the disease. We previously distinguished 5 phenotypes of wheeze and cough in early childhood by applying latent class analysis to longitudinal data from a population-based cohort (original cohort).

Objective: To validate previously identified phenotypes of childhood cough and wheeze in an independent cohort.

A simple asthma prediction tool for preschool children with wheeze or cough.

Background: Many preschool children have wheeze or cough, but only some have asthma later. Existing prediction tools are difficult to apply in clinical practice or exhibit methodological weaknesses.

Objective: We sought to develop a simple and robust tool for predicting asthma at school age in preschool children with wheeze or cough.

An extended drawing test for the assessment of arm and hand function with a performance invariant for healthy subjects.

Impaired hand motor function resulting from neurological, psychiatric or orthopaedic disorders affects patients of all ages. Existing hand function assessment methods, e.g.