Asthma diagnosis and treatment
Viral infections in relation to age, atopy, and season of admission among children hospitalized for wheezing

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2004.04.006Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

Viral respiratory tract infections and atopy are associated with attacks of wheezing during childhood. However, information about the relationship between viral infections and atopy among children whose attacks of wheezing lead to hospitalization is unclear.

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of viral respiratory tract pathogens among infants and children hospitalized for wheezing and to analyze the results in relation to the patient's age, atopic characteristics, and season of admission.

Methods

This was a case-control study of children (age 2 months to 18 years) admitted for wheezing to the University of Virginia Medical Center over a period of 12 months. Children without wheezing were enrolled as controls. Nasal secretions were evaluated for viral pathogens by using cultures, PCR tests, and antigen detection. Total IgE and specific IgE antibody to common aeroallergens was measured in serum.

Results

Seventy percent of children hospitalized for wheezing before age 3 years (n = 79) were admitted between December and March, whereas 46% of children age 3 to 18 years (n = 54) were hospitalized between September and November. Among children younger than 3 years, viral pathogens were detected in 84% (66/79) of wheezing children and 55% (42/77) of controls (P < .001). Respiratory syncytial virus was the dominant pathogen during the winter months, but rhinovirus was more common during other months. Total serum IgE levels were generally low, and values from wheezing and control subjects overlapped considerably. Among children 3 years and older, 61% (33/54) of subjects admitted for wheezing tested positive for virus (predominantly rhinovirus), compared with 21% (12/56) of controls (P < .001). The total serum IgE values among wheezing children (geometric mean, 386 IU/mL; 95% CI, 259-573) were substantially elevated compared with those of controls (geometric mean, 38 IU/mL; 95% CI, 26-56; P < .001). A significantly higher percentage of wheezing children compared with controls was sensitized to at least 1 of the inhaled allergens tested: 84% (36/43) compared with 33% (15/45; P < .001). The atopic characteristics of wheezing children who tested positive or negative for virus were similar.

Conclusions

Viral infections were the dominant risk factor for wheezing among children hospitalized before 3 years of age. By comparison, a large majority of the wheezing children age 3 to 18 years had striking atopic characteristics that may be critical as a risk factor for hospitalization and an adverse response to viral infections, especially infections caused by rhinovirus.

Keywords

Wheezing
asthma
children
hospitalization
viral respiratory tract infections
rhinovirus
respiratory syncytial virus
influenza
total serum IgE
inhaled allergens

Abbreviations

ETS
Environmental tobacco smoke
GM
Geometric mean
OR
Odds ratio
RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus

Cited by (0)

Supported by the Morris Family and The Cove Point Foundation, National Institutes of Health grants 1POI AI50989 and AI 20565, and the University of Virginia Children's Medical Center.

View Abstract