Repeated preschool wheeze may set the stage for long-term damage in lung function

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-05/uom-rpw050614.php

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 7-May-2014

Contact: William Raillant-Clark
University of Montreal
Repeated preschool wheeze may set the stage for long-term damage in lung function

This news release is available in French.

Children who wheeze are at risk of developing damage that will affect their lung function by the age of 6 years, according to researchers at CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital and the University of Montreal. These appear to be persistent, even if asthma symptoms seem to disappear at least temporarily by school age in several cases. Children with recurrent symptoms that are severe enough to warrant a visit to the emergency department are particularly at risk of seeing their lung function affected. This may persist in adulthood and into their forties, even if they have gone through a period of asthma remission during their childhood or adolescence. Preschool wheezing could be a risk factor for to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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