Asthma and atopy in children 7 to 9 years after viral respiratory infections

Background. Respiratory syncytial virus infections (RSV) in young children have been associated with developing asthma later on. Previousreports have shown that atopy is common in children with a history of lower respiratory tract  infections with RSV. The aim of this study is to determine asthma and atopy in children 7 to 9 years after viral respiratory infections.

Materials and Methods. This study is a  part of a nested case control study entitled "RSV and recurrent wheezing in Indonesia: 7 - 9 years follow up studywith lung function studies". Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were obtained, and skin prick test (SPT) were performed using 12 allergens.

Results. A total 218 children, with the mean age 10.4 ± 1.05 years, consisted of 50.9% boys, were enrolled in the study. Fifty two (23.(%) children with history of viral respiratory infections, 46% boys, with mean age 10.5 ± 1.05 years. The SPT were positive in 174 (79.85%) children. Fifteen children have FEV1/FVC ratio ≤ 80%, 4 (26.7%) with history of viral respiratory infections. Further analysis of 52 children showed 65.4% the SPT were positive, 25% negative, and 9.6% showed severe dermatographisms. The most common allergens were blomia tropicalis (50%), dermatophagoides farinae (44.2%), and dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (42.3%). History of atopy in these children showed: urticaria (30.8%), rhinitis (21%), asthma (13.5%), food allergy (9.6%), and eczema (1.9%). The history of atopy in the families were asthma (36.5%), urticaria (32.7%), food allergy (25%), rhinitis (13.5%) and eczema (3.9%).

Conclusion. The rate of asthma is low, however, the presentage of atopy were high. The most common allergens were B. tropicalis, D. farinae, and D. pteronyssinus.