Emanuela Arganisciuc, M. Colta, Ileana Ioniuc, Monica Alexoae, Alina Murgu, Aurica Rugina and Stela Gotia

ABSTRACT

Objective. Anamnestic, clinical and paraclinical evaluation of main predictive factors for the occurrence of recurrent wheezing in young children. 

Method. The study included 387 children warded for the presence of wheezing and coughing, applying a complex scheme of exploration in order to detect the risk factors for recurrent wheezing and shape the diagnosis.

Results. The most common risk factors for recurrent wheezing identified in descending order of frequency, were: male gender (65.37%), young age at onset of symptoms (62.27% under 2 years o age), urban environment (56.04%), onset of symptoms in the winter (48.32%), frequent respiratory infections (39.01%), infant formula feeding (37.08%), passive smoking (25.58%), associated allergic manifestations (17.05%), family atopy (16.53%), allergic sensitization (11.11%).

Conclusions. The diagnosis of recurrent wheezing unaccompanied by family or personal atopy was the most common, medical history being dominated by viral infections at infant age and exposure to cigarette smoke. Male gender was predominant in all age groups. Positive familial allergological survey and allergic manifestations associated with recurrent wheezing prove the existence of early onset of respiratory allergy. The presence of recurrent wheezing requires a special dispensary system, especially in the atopic children, due to the risk of developing chronic allergic inflammation of the airways.

Key words: recurrent wheezing, child, risk factors, atopy

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