High risk of adult asthma following severe wheezing in early life.

Background: Severe wheezing in early life is associated with an increased risk of asthma during childhood and adolescence. The aim of the present follow-up was to investigate the asthma prevalence and risk factors for asthma in adulthood.

Methods: We have prospectively studied asthma development in 101 children hospitalized due to severe wheezing before the age of 24 months.

Reduced airway function in early adulthood among subjects with wheezing disorder before two years of age.

Aim: To compare airway function in early adulthood in subjects with wheezing in infancy with age-matched controls and to analyze what accounts for a possible difference.

Methods: Asthma development has been prospectively studied in 101 children hospitalized due to wheezing before the age of two. The cohort was re-investigated at age 17-20 years and tested with spirometry and for bronchial hyper-responsiveness and allergic sensitization.

The impact of pre- and post-natal smoke exposure on future asthma and bronchial hyper-responsiveness.

Aim: To analyse the impact of pre- and post-natal smoke exposure on asthma presence, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, airway function and active smoking in early adulthood.

Methods: We have prospectively studied 101 children hospitalized due to wheezing before the age of 2 years. The cohort was re-investigated at age 17-20 years and tested for airway function and bronchial hyper-responsiveness.

Asthma symptoms in early childhood--what happens then?

Aim: To study the outcome in early adulthood for children with early asthma symptoms and to analyse the factors associated with current asthma.

Methods: In a prospective study, we have re-investigated 89/101 children who were hospitalized before the age of two years due to wheezing. The children were investigated using a questionnaire and allergy and bronchial hyper-responsiveness tests at the age of 17-20 years and compared with age-matched controls.