What type of study is this?

This is a Cross-Sectional Study study.

September 10, 2025

Factors associated with recurrent wheeze in children aged 3 months to 5 years in a tertiary care hospital in South India

Key Points

Recurrent wheeze is significantly associated with eosinophilia, maternal passive smoking, and environmental factors.
Key factors included maternal passive smoking with an odds ratio of 4.2 and environmental exposures linked to high risks.
A cross-sectional comparative study among 96 children aged 3 months to 5 years evaluated socio-demographic, clinical, and environmental data.
Addressing modifiable factors like maternal smoking and breastfeeding can help reduce childhood wheezing risks.

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND: Wheezing is a common presenting symptom in preschool children and may precede childhood asthma. Understanding associated factors can guide preventive and therapeutic strategies. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with recurrent wheeze among children aged 3 months to 5 years attending a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 96 children, 48 with recurrent wheeze (Group 1) and 48 without wheeze (Group 2). Data on socio-demographic, environmental, perinatal, nutritional, clinical, and familial characteristics were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Chi-square and t tests were used for significance testing. RESULTS: Factors significantly associated with recurrent wheezing were maternal passive smoking during pregnancy ( P < 0.01; odds ratio OR = 4.2 95% confidence interval CI 1.76–10.2), eosinophilia ( P = 0.016; OR = 2.96 95% CI 1.21–7.23), presence of other allergic diseases ( P = 0.012; OR = 4.12 95% CI 1.76–10.02), obesity ( P = 0.029, OR 4.46, 95% CI 1.16–17.18), family history of allergy ( P = 0.08, OR = 3.08,95%CI 1.33–7.120), family history of asthma ( P = 0.006, OR = 3.84, 95% CI 1.42–10.31), and environmental factors like unplastered walls ( P < 0.01; OR = 17.45, 95% CI 2.18–139.7) and unkempt compound with grass ( P < 0.01; OR = 5.86 95%CI 2.22–15.60). Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months was found to confer protection ( P = 0.011; OR = 0.33). Socioeconomic status, birth weight, prematurity, or formula feeding were not found to have any significant association with recurrent wheezing among preschool children. CONCLUSION: Eosinophilia, maternal passive smoking, suboptimal breastfeeding, environmental exposures, and family history of atopy/asthma are significantly associated with recurrent wheeze in young children. Addressing these modifiable factors may reduce the incidence of childhood wheezing and subsequent asthma.

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