The Influence of Respiratory Virus and Atopy on Recurrence of Virus Induced Wheezing in Children

Ahn, Byoung Whan; Lee, Dong Hwan; Kang, Im Ju

Abstract

PURPOSE
We studied to know the influence of respiratory virus and atopic characteristics on recurrence of virus-induced wheezing in children under 3 years of age.
METHODS
Between March 2006 and February 2009, 340 children who were hospitalized with symptoms of sudden onset of dyspnea, cough and wheezing after symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract infection and detected specific respiratory viruses by multiplex RT-PCR were enrolled. The data were analyzed according to age (< or =6, 7-12, 13-24, and 25-36 months) as well as previous wheezing episodes (first or recurrent episode). Respiratory viruses and atopic characteristics were compared among individual groups.
RESULTS
The 3 commonly identified viruses were RSV (62.4%), PIV (15.6%) and RV (11.8%). PIV and RV were significantly associated with recurrence, but RSV was not significantly associated with recurrence. Food sensitization, aeroallergen sensitization, elevation of total IgE, history of atopic dermatitis and history of parent asthma were significantly associated with the recurrent episode, but serum eosinophil and passive smoking were not significantly associated with the recurrent episode.
CONCLUSION
These findings show that specific respiratory viruses can have different influence on recurrence and that atopy may be a risk factor for recurrence of wheezing, in children under 3 years of age with virus-induced wheezing.