Research objectives

Wheezing in infancy is very common, but its appropriate management is not known as the majority of those affected will not become asthmatic. It cannot be predicted at present which wheezing infants will, and just as importantly which will not, proceed to clinical asthma. Between 1993 and 1996 we undertook a prospective longitudinal study of a group of 109 infants with recent onset of wheezing. Ten demographic and immunological variables were assessed for their usefulness as predictors of on-gong wheeze in these infants, who were followed in detail for one year. Six-monthly questionnaires have been completed in the interim by the 107 families completing the study. The project will re-examine these children at age 6/7 to determine the natural history of infant wheezing and to provide a more robust clinical phenotype so that the usefulness of the prognostic markers my be re-evaluated. All 107 children will be asked to attend for the following – ISAAC questionnaire, skin prick testing, spirometry, bronchial challenge, blood sampling for IgE, soluble IL2R, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and genotyping. In addition peak expiratory flow (PEF) symptom scores and treatment will be recorded daily for 3 months. The predictor variables will be assessed using both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The main outcome measures will be: clinical diagnosis of asthma; current symptoms, PEF variability and asthma treatment; and lung function and bronchial responsiveness.

For further information contact

Dr Joanne B Clough
Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Respiratory Care
School of Medicine, Child Health
Level G (803), Centre Block
Southampton General Hospital
Tremona Road
Southampton
SO16 6YD

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