Early-life respiratory viral infections, atopic sensitization, and risk of subsequent development of persistent asthma.

Background: Severe lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and atopic sensitization have been identified as independent risk factors for asthma.

Objective: The nature of potential interactions between these risk factors was the subject of this study.

Methods: A community-based cohort of 198 children at high atopic risk was followed from birth to 5 years.