Study, conducted at the Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital

Recurrent wheezing is a frequent clinical problem in early childhood, affecting up to 50% of children within their first six years.

This study, conducted at the Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, analyzed data from 24,737 patients admitted between 2012 and 2019. Among them, 8,569 had pneumonia with wheezing, and 343 exhibited recurrent episodes. The findings highlight critical risk factors for recurrent wheezing and its implications for pediatric health.

Key Findings

1. Demographics and Clinical Presentation
	The majority of recurrent wheezing cases occurred in infants younger than six months (45.8%), followed by those aged 6–12 months (28.6%).
	Male children were disproportionately affected, with a male-to-female ratio of 4:1.
	Urban residency was common among affected children, and most were breastfed.

2.	Seasonal Patterns
	The first episodes of wheezing most commonly occurred in winter (30.34%), while spring was the most frequent season for second episodes (34.99%). This pattern aligns with the peak activity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during colder months, a known contributor to wheezing in children.
3.	Risk Factors for Recurrent Wheezing
	Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis identified several independent risk factors:
	Male Gender: Males had a higher risk due to narrower airways and increased susceptibility to environmental triggers.

	Low Birth Weight: Associated with underdeveloped lungs and reduced respiratory capacity.

	Severe Pneumonia: Children with prior severe pneumonia episodes showed a significantly higher recurrence risk.

	Past Respiratory and Cardiovascular Diseases: Pre-existing conditions predisposed children to recurrent wheezing.

	PICU Admission: Admission to pediatric intensive care units indicated severe initial episodes, increasing the likelihood of recurrence.

Discussion
The study underscores the multifactorial nature of recurrent wheezing in children. Anatomical differences, environmental exposures, and past medical history play crucial roles in disease manifestation and progression.

Preventative measures, such as minimizing exposure to allergens and pollutants and addressing maternal health issues during pregnancy, could reduce the incidence of recurrent wheezing.

The seasonal variation in wheezing episodes highlights the need for vigilance during high-risk periods. Preventive strategies like RSV prophylaxis during winter and early spring could mitigate the recurrence and severity of episodes.

GGI-CO-A1-AQS-300033085-APPEMC-L24-0048
For the use of a Registered Medical Practitioner, Hospital or Laboratory only.
Reference:
Zhu Y, Chen L, Miao Y, et al. An analysis of risk factors associated with recurrent wheezing in the pediatric population. Ital J Pediatr. 2023;49(1):31. Published 2023 Mar 16. doi:10.1186/s13052-023-01437-4 Click here to view the original article

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Study, conducted at the Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital

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