Abstract
The aim of our study was to investigate the association between rapid weight gain in the first 3 months of life and the prevalence of wheeze in the first years of life and lung function at 5 yrs of age.
The infants selected were participating in an ongoing birth cohort. Information on growth and respiratory symptoms was collected during the first year of life, and on primary care consultations during total follow-up. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow at 25–75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25–75%) were measured at 5 yrs of age.
Information on growth and respiratory symptoms was obtained for 1,431 infants, out of whom 235 children had already had 5 yrs of follow-up. Every one-point z-score increase in weight gain resulted in a 37% increase in days with wheeze (incidence rate ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.27–1.47; p<0.001) and in associated consultations by 16% (incidence rate ratio 1.16, 95% CI 1.01–1.34; p=0.04). Children with rapid weight gain reported significantly more physician-diagnosed asthma. FEV1 and FEF25–75% were reduced by 34 mL (adjusted regression coefficient -0.034, 95% CI -0.056– -0.013; p=0.002) and 82 mL (adjusted regression coefficient -0.082, 95% CI -0.140– -0.024; p=0.006) per every one-point z-score increase in weight gain, respectively. These associations were independent of birthweight.
Rapid early weight gain is a risk factor for clinically relevant wheezing illnesses in the first years of life and lower lung function in childhood.
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Support Statement
The WHISTLER study is supported by grants from the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZON-MW), by the University Medical Center Utrecht and by an unrestricted research grant from GlaxoSmithKline, the Netherlands. The funding agencies did not have any role in the study design, data collection, analysis and interpretation of data, or in the writing of the article and the decision to submit it for publication. All researchers are independent from funding agencies.
Statement of Interest
A statement of interest for all authors of this manuscript can be found at www.erj.ersjournals.com/site/misc/statements.xhtml
- Received December 7, 2010.
- Accepted July 17, 2011.
- ©ERS 2012