Risk factors of developing asthma in children with recurrent wheezing in the first three years of life.

INTRODUCTION recurrent wheezing is a common problem during the first years of life, but it is still difficult to identify which of these children may develop asthma in the future. OBJECTIVES To study risk factors of developing asthma in a group of patients with frequent wheezing during the first three years of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective study was performed of a group of 60 patients, aged below three, referred to our Hospital for recurrent wheezing. Age, sex, parental and personal history of atopy, clinical features, laboratory tests, evolution and response to treatment were analyzed. RESULTS 60 patients were enrolled in study. Most of children were boys and have had the first episode of wheezing after the 6 months of life. 63 % had personal history of atopy and 55 % parental history of allergy. The group of atopic children had more wheezing exacerbations and worse evolution than the group of non atopic. They also had more treatment necessities. CONCLUSIONS The identification of young children at high risk of developing asthma could permit an early intervention before irreversible changes in the airway appeared.