Search

Recent evidence highlights the importance of optimal lung development during childhood for health throughout life.To explore the plasticity of individual lung function states during childhood.Pre-bronchodilator FEV1 z-scores determined at age 8, 16 and 24 years in the Swedish population-based birth cohort BAMSE (N=3,069) were used. An unbiased, data-driven dependent mixture model was applied to explore lung function states and individual state chains. Lung function catch-up was defined as participants moving from low/very low states to normal/high/very high states, and growth failure as moving from normal/high/very high states to low/very low states. At 24 years, we compared respiratory symptoms, small airway function (multiple-breath washout), and circulating inflammatory protein levels, by using proteomics, across states. Models were replicated in the independent Dutch population-based PIAMA cohort.Five lung function states were identified in BAMSE. Lung function catch-up and growth failure were observed in 74 (14.5%) BAMSE participants with low/very low states and 36 (2.4%) participants with normal/high/very high states, respectively. The occurrence of catch-up and growth failure was replicated in PIAMA. Early-life risk factors were cumulatively associated with the very low state, as well as with catch-up (inverse association) and growth failure. The very low state as well as growth failure were associated with respiratory symptoms, airflow limitation, and small airway dysfunction at adulthood. Proteomics identified Interleukin-6 and C-X-C motif chemokine 10 as potential biomarkers of impaired lung function development.Individual lung function states during childhood are plastic, including catch-up and growth failure. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

To assess associations between air pollution exposure and infant lung function.Healthy infants from Stockholm were recruited to two cohorts (n = 99 and n = 78). Infant spirometry included plethysmography and raised volume forced expiratory flows. In pooled analyses, lung function at ~6 months of age was related to time-weighted average air pollution levels at residential addresses from birth until the lung function test. The pollutants included particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter 10 μm (PMThere were significant inverse relations between air pollution exposure during infancy and forced expiratory volume at 0.5 s (FEVAir pollution exposure was associated with impaired infant lung function measures related to airway calibre and lung volume, suggesting that comparatively low levels of air pollution negatively affect lung function in early life.

Background Young adults are now considered major spreaders of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. Although most young individuals experience mild to moderate disease, there are concerns of long-term adverse health effects. The impact of COVID-19 disease and to which extent population-level immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exists in young adults remain unclear. Objective We conducted a population-based study on humoral and cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and explored COVID-19 disease characteristics in young adults. Methods We invited participants from the Swedish BAMSE (Barn [Children], Allergy Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiology) birth cohort (age 24-27 years) to take part in a COVID-19 follow-up. From 980 participants (October 2020 to June 2021), we here present data on SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain–specific IgM, IgA, and IgG titers measured by ELISA and on symptoms and epidemiologic factors associated with seropositivity. Further, SARS-CoV-2–specific memory B- and T-cell responses were detected for a subpopulation (n = 108) by ELISpot and FluoroSpot. Results A total of 28.4% of subjects were seropositive, of whom 18.4% were IgM single positive. One in 7 seropositive subjects was asymptomatic. Seropositivity was associated with use of public transport, but not with sex, asthma, rhinitis, IgE sensitization, smoking, or body mass index. In a subset of representative samples, 20.7% and 35.0% had detectable SARS-CoV-2 specific B- and T-cell responses, respectively. B- and T-cell memory responses were clearly associated with seropositivity, but T-cell responses were also detected in 17.2% of seronegative subjects. Conclusions Assessment of IgM and T-cell responses may improve population-based estimations of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The pronounced surge of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections among young adults indicates that the large-scale vaccination campaign should be continued.

Background Dietary antioxidants may protect the lung against oxidative damage and prevent chronic respiratory disease. We aimed to investigate fruit, vegetable and antioxidant intake (measured as total antioxidant capacity, TAC) at age 8 years in relation to asthma and lung function up to 24 years. Methods In this study of 2506 participants from a Swedish birth cohort, diet was assessed using food frequency questionnaires. Information on asthma was collected by questionnaires, and lung function was measured by spirometry at ages 8, 16 and 24 years. Generalized estimating equations and mixed effect models were used to assess overall, age- and sex-specific associations. Results After adjustment for confounders, a higher fruit intake at age 8 years was associated with a tendency to reduced odds of prevalent asthma (T3 vs. T1, OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.60-1.01, p-trend .083), with reduced odds of incident asthma and increased odds of remittent asthma (≥median, OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.58-0.99 and OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.05-2.42, respectively) up to 24 years. Comparable, but non-significant, odds ratios were observed in analyses of long-term fruit intake (mean intake at ages 8 and 16 years). In contrast, no association was observed with vegetable intake. A higher dietary TAC (T3 vs. T1) at 8 years was associated with reduced odds of prevalent asthma (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.58-0.93, p-trend .010) and improved lung function development (FEV1 -z +0.11; 95% CI 0.01-0.21, p-trend .036 and FVC-z +0.09; 95% CI -0.01-0.20, p-trend .072) up to 24 years. Associations were more pronounced among males, and regarding asthma, participants sensitized to aeroallergens. Conclusions Antioxidant intake in school age may improve asthma and lung function up to young adulthood. Although our results should be interpreted with caution, they emphasize the importance of following current dietary guidelines regarding consumption of antioxidant-rich foods as part of a balanced diet.

Impulse oscillometry (IOS) can be used to assess the mechanical properties of the respiratory airways. The method is easy to perform as it requires only tidal breathing and may provide complimentary information beyond that from dynamic spirometry. For the method to be clinically useful, reference values appropriate with regard to methodology and population are needed. The IOS equipment producer recommended reference values are derived from a German population[1], while method specific reference values for healthy non-smoking adult Caucasian are available from smaller datasets from Europe[2] and Australia[3].

BackgroundThe beneficial effect of improving air quality on lung function development remains understudied. We assessed associations of changes in ambient air pollution levels with lung function growth from childhood until young adulthood in a Swedish cohort study.MethodsIn the prospective birth cohort BAMSE (Children, Allergy, Environment, Stockholm, Epidemiology (in Swedish)), spirometry was conducted at the 8-year (2002–2004), 16-year (2011–2013) and 24-year (2016–2019) follow-ups. Participants with spirometry data at 8 years and at least one other measurement in subsequent follow-ups were included (1509 participants with 3837 spirometry measurements). Ambient air pollution levels (particulate matter with diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter with diameter ≤10 μm (PM10), black carbon (BC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)) at residential addresses were estimated using dispersion modelling. Linear mixed effect models were used to estimate associations between air pollution exposure change and lung function development.ResultsOverall, air pollution levels decreased progressively during the study period. For example, the median (interquartile range (IQR)) level of PM2.5decreased from 8.24 (0.92) μg·m−3during 2002–2004 to 5.21 (0.67) μg·m−3during 2016–2019. At the individual level, for each IQR reduction of PM2.5the lung function growth rate increased by 4.63 (95% CI 1.64–7.61) mL per year (px. Associations persisted after adjustment for potential confounders and were not modified by asthma, allergic sensitisation, overweight, early-life air pollution exposure or dietary antioxidant intake.ConclusionsLong-term reduction of air pollution is associated with positive lung function development from childhood to young adulthood.

Introduction Lung function development from childhood to young adulthood is important for lung health later in life. We investigated the association between asthma control and lung function from 8 to 24 years of age. Methods A total of 668 participants from the population-based BAMSE cohort study, with persistent or incidental asthma and between 8 and 24 years of age, were included. Asthma was defined as controlled or uncontrolled at each examination based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) criteria. Dynamic spirometry was performed at 8, 16 and 24 years of age. Associations between uncontrolled asthma and pre-bronchodilation forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC ratio were evaluated with a generalised estimating equation model, as overall associations and at each examination. Unadjusted and adjusted (for sex, current asthma, allergic sensitisation, body mass index, smoking, smoke exposure, inhaled corticosteroid use) analyses were done; and were thereafter stratified by sex, elevated blood eosinophils (≥0.3×109 cells·µL−1), elevated FENO (≥25 ppb), allergic sensitisation and ever/never smoking. Results Uncontrolled asthma was associated with a lower overall FEV1/FVC z-score from 8 to 24 years of age (adjusted regression coefficient −0.11; 95% CI (−0.20 to −0.02; p=0.016). After stratification, this association was primarily seen among females (adjusted regression coefficient −0.170; 95% CI (−0.298 to −0.044; p=0.009) and participants with elevated FENO (regression coefficient −0.207; 95% CI −0.342 to −0.073; p=0.002), in contrast to males and participants with normal FENO. Conclusion Uncontrolled asthma is associated with airflow obstruction from childhood to young adulthood. This highlights the importance of active management of asthma during growth., Uncontrolled asthma from 8 to 24 years of age is associated with a lower overall FEV1/FVC z-score. Intensified treatment of symptomatic asthma, especially asthma with elevated FENO and in females, could have important implications for future lung health. https://bit.ly/3pHkleN

Background: PUFAs may influence the risk of asthma; however, long-term prospective studies including objective biomarkers of PUFA intake are lacking. Objectives The objective was to investigate the role of dietary intake and plasma concentrations of n–3 and n–6 (ω-3 and ω-6) PUFAs in childhood and adolescence for the development of asthma and lung function up to young adulthood. Methods: The study included participants from the Swedish prospective birth cohort BAMSE. Dietary intake of PUFAs was calculated from FFQs (n = 1992) and plasma proportions of PUFAs were measured in phospholipids (n = 831). We analyzed the n–3 PUFA α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n–3); the sum of very-long-chain (VLC) n–3 PUFAs: EPA (20:5n–3), DHA (22:6n–3), and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n–3); and the n–6 PUFAs linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n–6) and arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4n–6). Asthma was assessed by questionnaires at 8, 16, and 24 y and lung function was measured by spirometry at 24 y. Results: A high (≥median) self-reported dietary intake of LA at 8 y and AA at 16 y was associated with increased risk of prevalent asthma at 24 y (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.82 and OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.70, respectively). In contrast, plasma proportions of ALA, ∑VLC n–3 PUFAs, and AA at 8 y, as well as LA at 16 y, were inversely associated with prevalent asthma at 24 y (e.g., OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.81 for ∑VLC n–3 PUFAs). No consistent associations were observed with lung function. Conclusions: High dietary intake of certain n–6 PUFAs in childhood or adolescence may be associated with increased risk of asthma up to young adulthood, whereas dietary biomarkers of certain n–3 and n–6 PUFAs in plasma may be associated with decreased risk. Thus, the role of diet compared with altered metabolism of PUFAs needs further investigation to improve dietary preventive strategies for asthma.

Aim: Children born preterm are at increased risk of reduced lung function. The aim was to test whether lung function was associated with pulmonary vascular resistance. Methods: Participants were recruited from a population-based cohort born in 2004-2007. Lung function was assessed with spirometry after administration of a beta2-agonist. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were determined. Estimations of pulmonary vascular resistance, arterial dimensions, right ventricular wall thickness, sphericity, and systolic (TAPSE) and diastolic functions were performed with echocardiography. Adjusted regression analyses were used to study associations. Results: Sixty-six children (33 boys) born at 22-26 weeks of gestational age (birthweights 460-1134 g) were assessed at a mean age of 6.7 years. Despite large variations in lung function with FVCz-scores ranging from -4.6 to +2.8, there were no associations between lung function and pulmonary arterial pressure, right ventricular structure or function. Children with higher FVCz-scores (r = .52, beta = .55 mm,P = .015) and higher FEV(1)z-scores (r = .58, beta = .73 mm,P = .001) exhibited larger pulmonary arteries. Conclusion: In children born extremely preterm, lung function was not associated with pulmonary vascular resistance. Routine echocardiographic evaluation of extremely preterm children may not be indicated at age 6.5 years.

What are the implications of a lower than expected forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in childhood on respiratory health later in adulthood? Lung function is known to track with age, and there is evidence from recent epidemiologic studies that impaired lung function early in life is associated with later chronic airflow limitation, or even chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD. This risk seems particularly strong in subjects with persistent and severe forms of childhood asthma. Can we translate findings from longitudinal cohort studies to individual risk predictions and preventive guidelines in our pediatric care? In this review, we discuss the clinical implementations of recent epidemiological respiratory studies and the importance of preserved lung health across the life course. Also, we evaluate available clinical tools, primarily lung function measures, and profiles of risk factors, including biomarkers, that may help identifying children at risk of chronic airway disease in adulthood. We conclude that translating population level results to the individual patient in the pediatric care setting is not straight forward, and that there is a need for studies specifically designed to evaluate performance of prediction of risk profiles for long-term sequelae of childhood asthma and lung function impairment.

Background Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a risk factor for respiratory disease in adulthood. Despite the differences in underlying pathology, patients with a history of BPD are often treated as asthmatics. We hypothesized that pulmonary outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were different in adults born preterm with and without a history of BPD compared to asthmatics and healthy individuals. Methods We evaluated 96 young adults from the LUNAPRE cohort (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02923648), including 26 individuals born preterm with a history of BPD (BPD), 23 born preterm without BPD (preterm), 23 asthmatics and 24 healthy controls. Extensive lung function testing and HRQoL were assessed. Results The BPD group had more severe airway obstruction compared to the preterm-, (FEV1− 0.94 vs. 0.28 z-scores; p ≤ 0.001); asthmatic- (0.14 z-scores, p ≤ 0.01) and healthy groups (0.78 z-scores, p ≤ 0.001). Further, they had increased ventilation inhomogeneity compared to the preterm- (LCI 6.97 vs. 6.73, p ≤ 0.05), asthmatic- (6.75, p = 0.05) and healthy groups (6.50 p ≤ 0.001). Both preterm groups had lower DLCO compared to healthy controls (p ≤ 0.001 for both). HRQoL showed less physical but more psychological symptoms in the BPD group compared to asthmatics. Conclusions Lung function impairment and HRQoL in adults with a history of BPD differed from that in asthmatics highlighting the need for objective assessment of lung health. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12931-019-1075-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Spirometric restriction, defined as a reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) with a preserved FEVIn this longitudinal, multicohort, population-based study, we used data from the Tucson Children's Respiratory Study (TCRS), which recruited 1246 healthy infants at birth between April 1980, and October 1984, in Tucson, AZ, USA. Questionnaires were answered by the primary caregiver at enrolment, immediately after the child's birth, and multiple follow-up questionnaires were completed through childhood and adulthood. At the age of 22, 26, 32, and 36 years, lung function was measured with spirometry. At each survey, three mutually exclusive spirometric patterns were defined: (1) normal (FEVOf 1246 healthy infants included in TCRS, for the present study we included data for 652 participants who had at least one set of spirometry data, contributing up to 1668 observations. In the TCRS cohort, results from the multivariate models showed that maternal nutritional problems during pregnancy (RRR 2·48 [95% CI 1·30-4·76]; p=0·0062), being born small for gestational age (birthweight10th percentile; 3·26 [1·34-7·93]; p=0·0093), and being underweight in childhood (BMI-for-age5th percentile; 3·54 [1·35-9·26]; p=0·010) were independent predictors of spirometric restriction in adult life. Associations between being small for gestational age (p=0·0028) and underweight in childhood (p0·0001) with adult spirometric restriction were supported by the results of meta-analysis of data from all three cohorts. In the MAAS cohort, having a low lean BMI (ie,10th percentile) at age 11 years predicted adult (age 18 years) spirometric restriction (RRR 3·66 [1·48-9·02]; p=0·0048). These associations of spirometric restriction with small for gestational age, childhood underweight, and low lean BMI in childhood were verified in participants with spirometric restriction who had diminished total lung capacity, indicating that these factors specifically increase the risk of lung restriction.Poor growth and nutritional deficits in utero and throughout childhood precede and predict the development of spirometric restriction in adult life. Strategies to improve prenatal and childhood growth trajectories could help to prevent spirometric restriction and its associated morbidity and mortality burden.National Institutes of Health.

Background Development of asthma is complicated by the multidimensional nature of the disease. Objective To identify and characterize trajectories of asthma from infancy to young adulthood, and their associations with lung function and inflammatory and respiratory markers in adolescence and young adulthood. Methods A latent class analysis was performed in a population-based cohort (N = 4089). Parental and self-reported symptoms of asthma were used to investigate asthma development. We characterized background factors, allergic comorbidity, and IgE sensitization and investigated associations with asthma markers. Results A 4-class solution of asthma trajectories was identified: never/infrequent (n = 3291 [80.4%]), early-onset transient (n = 307 [7.5%]), adolescent-onset (n = 261 [6.4%]), and persistent asthma (n = 230 [5.6%]). Uncontrolled asthma was equally prevalent in the adolescent-onset and persistent asthma trajectory groups, at both age 16 (41.7% vs 42.4%; P = .90) and 24 years (53.7% vs 52.4%; P = .81). The persistent asthma trajectory group had a higher proportion of eosinophil counts greater than or equal to 0.3 (109 cells/L) at age 24 years compared with the adolescent-onset trajectory group (31.0% vs 18.5%; P Conclusions The adolescent-onset and persistent asthma trajectory groups had equal burdens of asthma control in adolescence and young adulthood. However, the persistent asthma trajectory group showed more signs of type 2 inflammation than the adolescent-onset trajectory group. This unbiased approach highlights the need of identifying patients with adolescent asthma to optimize care, because they suffer the same lack of asthma control as those with persistent asthma.

Preterm birth has been associated with altered cardiac phenotype in adults. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that children surviving extremely preterm birth have important structural or functional changes of the right heart or pulmonary circulation. We also examined relations between birth size, gestational age, neonatal diagnoses of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with cardiac outcomes. We assessed a population-based cohort of children born in Sweden before 27 weeks of gestation with echocardiography at 6.5 years of age (n = 176). Each preterm child was matched to a healthy control child born at term. Children born preterm had significantly smaller right atria, right ventricles with smaller widths, higher relative wall thickness and higher estimated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) than controls. In preterm children, PVR and right ventricular myocardial performance index (RVmpi&rsquo, ) were significantly higher in those with a PDA as neonates than in those without PDA, but no such associations were found with BPD. In conclusion, children born extremely preterm exhibit higher estimated PVR, altered right heart structure and function compared with children born at term.

IOS assess the mechanical properties of the respiratory system. The method is sensitive to identify early changes, but adequate reference values are needed for clinical use. Therefore we studied how the producer’s recommended reference values (Vogel 1994) fit individuals from SCAPIS. Furthermore, we evaluated the burden of respiratory symptoms in relation to abnormal IOS. IOS was done in 5036 (51% female) individuals aged 50-64 years from the Uppsala center of SCAPIS. Values above 95th percentile for resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and lower values than 5th percentile for reactance at 5 Hz (X5) were used to defined cut-offs for impaired R5 and X5 in healthy, never smokers (n=1887, 46% female). The prevalence of impaired R5 and X5 was 10 and 11.4%, respectively, of the general population, while corresponding numbers using the Vogel were 5.8% and 3.7%. Subjects with R5 normal according to Vogel, but impaired according to SCAPIS (n=170) had a higher burden of wheeze (12.0% vs 5.8%,) dyspnea (14.9% vs 6.3%), and self-reported asthma (12.3% vs 7.9%) compared to subjects with normal R5 according to both Vogel and SCAPIS (n=3426) (all p Using the producer’s recommended reference values, fewer individuals will have an impaired lung function measured by IOS, compared to population-defined normal range in SCAPIS. Individuals with abnormal IOS according to SCAPIS, but normal according to producer’s reference values, have a higher burden of respiratory disease. This suggests clinical implications of choosing adequate reference equations.

Background: Air pollution (AP) exposure during infancy can affect lung function later in childhood and adolescence. However, few studies have investigated the effect of AP exposure on lung function in infancy. Aims: To investigate infant lung function in relation to exposure to PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 in an area with comparatively low pollution levels. Methods: Using birth registers, healthy infants residing in Stockholm city were recruited to one cohort (n=99) between 2014 and 2017. Another cohort (n=78) also included healthy infants recruited from maternity wards between 2009 and 2011 in Stockholm County. Forced expiratory maneuvers were performed in both cohorts. In pooled analyses of the two cohorts lung function measures at about 6 months of age were related to time-weighted average AP levels at residential addresses from birth and onwards using linear regression with inclusion of potential confounding variables. Results: There was a significant inverse relation between AP exposure and FEV0.5 as well as FVC at 6 months of age. Conclusion: Air pollution exposure was associated with impaired infant lung function measures related to both obstructive and restrictive airway disease.

Background: Little is known about the prevalence and early life risk factors for chronic bronchitis in young adults. Methods: Questionnaire data on respiratory symptoms and lung function from the 24-year follow-up of the Swedish BAMSE cohort were used. We assessed chronic bronchitis (CB) as the combination of cough and mucus production in the morning during winter. Environmental and clinical data collected at 0, 4, 8 and 16 years were used for analyses of risk factors. Results: At the 24 years follow-up, 75% (n=3064) participants completed the questionnaire and 2030 performed lung function measurements. The overall prevalence of CB was 5.5% (n=158) with no difference between males and females. 41% of CB cases had concurrent asthma compared to 11% of subjects without CB (p Conclusion: In the BAMSE cohort, the population-based prevalence of CB was 5.5% in young adults below age 25 years. Recurrent respiratory infections were common in these subjects. Active smoking as well as early environmental exposures were potential risk factors for CB.

We aimed to determine prevalence and early-life risk factors for reversible and irreversible airflow limitation in young adults from the general population. Among young adults in their 20s, the prevalence was 5.3% for reversible airflow limitation and 2.0% for irreversible airflow limitation. While parental asthma was the only risk factor for development of reversible airflow limitation, the risk factors for development of irreversible airflow limitation were current asthma, childhood respiratory tract infections and asthma, and exposure to air pollution.

Chronic bronchitis is associated with substantial morbidity among elderly adults, but little is known about its prevalence and risk factors in young adults. Our aim was to assess the prevalence and early-life risk factors for chronic bronchitis in young adults.Questionnaire data and clinical measures from the 24-year follow-up of the Swedish BAMSE (Child (Barn), Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiological) cohort were used. We assessed chronic bronchitis (CB) as the combination of cough and mucus production in the morning during winter. Environmental and clinical data from birth and onwards were used for analyses of risk factors.At the 24-year follow-up, 75% (n=3064) participants completed the questionnaire and 2030 performed spirometry. The overall prevalence of CB was 5.5% (n=158) with similar estimates in males and females. 49% of CB cases experienced more than three self-reported respiratory infections in the past year compared to 18% in non-CB subjects (p0.001), and 37% of cases were current smokers (Chronic bronchitis in young adults is associated with recurrent respiratory infections. Besides smoking, our results support the role of early-life exposures, such as air pollution and exclusive breastfeeding, for respiratory health later in life.

Detection of lactobacilli (L. casei, L. paracasei and L. rhamnosus) in feces during the first 2 months of life associates with reduced allergy‐prevalence and lower levels of atopy‐related chemokines in the first year(s) of life, and higher levels of IFN‐g and lower FeNO later in childhood. These associations between lactobacilli, allergy‐protection and the systemic immune profile were apparent also within the subgroup of children with double allergic heredity. The results indicate that the presence of certain lactobacilli species in the infant gut may influence allergy‐related parameters in the peripheral immune system, and thereby contribute to allergy‐protection., Summary Alterations in the composition and reduced diversity of the infant microbiome are associated with allergic disease in children. Further, an altered microbiota is linked to immune dysregulation, including skewing of different T helper (Th) subsets, which is also seen in atopic individuals. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the associations between gut lactobacilli and Th‐related plasma factors in allergy development during childhood. A total of 194 children with known allergy status at 1 year of age were followed to 10 years of age. We used real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to investigate the presence of three lactobacilli species (Lactobacillus casei, L. paracasei, L. rhamnosus) in infant fecal samples (collected between 1 week and 2 months of age) from a subgroup of children. Plasma chemokines and cytokines were quantified at 6 months and at 1, 2, 5 and 10 years of age with Luminex or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fractional exhaled nitrogen oxide (FeNO) was measured and spirometry performed at 10 years of age. The data were analysed by non‐parametric testing and a logistic regression model adjusted for parental allergy. An absence of these lactobacilli and higher levels of the chemokines BCA‐1/CXCL13, CCL17/TARC, MIP‐3α/CCL20 and MDC/CCL22 in plasma at 6 months of age preceded allergy development. The presence of lactobacilli associated with lower levels of atopy‐related chemokines during infancy, together with higher levels of interferon (IFN)‐γ and lower FeNO during later childhood. The results indicate that the presence of certain lactobacilli species in the infant gut may influence allergy‐related parameters in the peripheral immune system, and thereby contribute to allergy protection.

Background For adolescents, asthma management can be challenging during the transition to adulthood, and changes in health care and pharmacological treatment may occur. Objective To investigate asthma-related health care consumption and pharmacological dispensation during the transition process. Methods In a Swedish birth cohort study, questionnaire and clinical data from the 16- and 24-year follow-ups were linked to national and regional registries for asthma-related health care consumption and dispensed medications during an 8-year period: 4 years before and after age 18 y, respectively. Results In the study population (n = 1808), 14% fulfilled the study definition of current asthma at the 16- and 24-year follow-up and 8% (n = 147) had persistent asthma. Among them, register data showed that in the 4-year period before their 18th birthday, 39% (58 of 147) had at least 1 consultation, similar to 37% (55 of 147) in the following 4-year period. The mean number of consultations before age 18 years was 1.6, compared with 1.0 after age 18 years (P = .02). At least 1 dispensation of any inhaled corticosteroid before age 18 years was found for 73% (107 of 147), compared with 50% (74 of 147) after age 18 years. The mean number of dispensed any inhaled corticosteroid was 3.1 before 18 years and 2.1 after 18 years (P < .01). Only 3% (5 of 147) had a regular dispensation of any inhaled corticosteroid once a year during the 8-year period. Conclusions Health care consultations were fewer than recommended in guidelines and decreased after the transition to adult health care. Almost no one had dispensed regular asthma medications during the 8-year period.

Rationale Little is known about how perinatal and childhood factors influence lung function change between childhood and adolescence. Objectives To investigate possible early life predictors of change in FEV1 between age 8 and 16 years. In addition, to investigate possible predictors of having persistently low lung function (FEV1 Methods The BAMSE birth cohort study collected data throughout childhood on environmental factors, individual characteristics, and spirometric measures at 8 and 16 years (n = 1425). Associations between early life predictors (n = 31) and FEV1 increase between 8 and 16 years were assessed with linear regression. Predictors of having persistently low lung function were examined. Results Few factors were consistently associated with altered lung function growth, although low birth weight, asthma heredity (paternal), secondhand smoke in infancy, and season of birth had a significant impact (p-value ≤0.01). The majority of subjects stayed however within the same category of lung function between ages 8 and 16 years (in total 821/1425 = 58%). Predictors associated with having persistently low lung function were gestational age, secondhand smoke (at 2 and 8 years of age), and factors related to lower respiratory tract infections in infancy. Conclusions In summary, rather few exposures in childhood were identified to have a significant impact on lung function growth between childhood and adolescence. Our data support previous study findings indicating that lung function development is influenced by factors before birth and in infancy, including second hand tobacco smoke.

INTRODUCTION Omalizumab has been available for treatment of allergic asthma for more than a decade and thus, its efficacy in routine treatment was of interest to evaluate. Basophil allergen threshold sensitivity (CD-sens) has been shown to correlate with the bronchial allergen threshold sensitivity and can be used to objectively measure omalizumab treatment efficacy. We aimed to evaluate the effect of omalizumab treatment of allergic asthma by CD-sens, as an objective marker of the IgE-mediated inflammation, and related to SPT, spirometry, FeNO, Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), and Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness (GETE). METHODS Thirty-two patients were treated with omalizumab for 16 weeks. CD-sens was used to define the response and related to clinical parameters. If CD-sens was negative (

BackgroundFew large prospective studies have investigated the impact of body mass index (BMI) on lung function during childhood.MethodsUsing data collected between 2002 and 2013, we analysed associations between BMI status and lung function (assessed by spirometry) from 8 to 16 years, as well as cross-sectional associations with small airway function (impulse oscillometry) at 16 years in the BAMSE cohort (n=2889). At 16 years, cross-sectional associations with local and systemic inflammation were investigated by analysing FENO, blood eosinophils and neutrophils.ResultsOverweight and obesity at 8 years were associated with higher FVC, but lower FEV1/FVC ratio at 8 and 16 years. In boys, but not girls, obesity at 8 years was associated with a further reduction in FEV1/FVC between 8 and 16 years. In cross-sectional analyses, overweight and obesity were associated with higher frequency dependence of resistance (R5–20) and larger area under the reactance curve (AX0.5) at 16 years. Increased blood neutrophil counts were seen in overweight and obese girls, but not in boys. No association was found between BMI status and FENO. Persistent, but not transient, overweight/obesity between 8 and 16 years was associated with higher R5–20and AX0.5and lower FEV1/FVC (−2.8% (95% CI −4.1 to −1.2) in girls and −2.7% (95% CI −4.4 to −1.1) in boys) at 16 years, compared with persistent normal weight.ConclusionIn childhood and adolescence, overweight and obesity, particularly persistent overweight, were associated with evidence of airway obstruction, including the small airways.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been linked to adverse pulmonary effects. However, the impact of low-level environmental PAH exposure on lung function in early adulthood remains uncertain.To evaluate the associations between urinary PAH metabolites and lung function parameters in young adults.Urinary metabolites of pyrene, phenanthrene, and fluorene were analysed in 1000 young adults from Sweden (age 22-25 years) using LC-MS/MS. Lung function and eosinophilic airway inflammation were measured by spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide fraction (FeNO), respectively. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between PAH metabolites and the outcomes.Median urinary concentrations of 1-OH-pyrene, ∑OH-phenanthrene, and ∑OH-fluorene were 0.066, 0.36, 0.22 μg/L, respectively. We found inverse associations of ∑OH-phenanthrene and ∑OH-fluorene with FEV1 and FVC, as well as between 1-OH-pyrene and FEV1/FVC ratio (adjusted P 0.05; all participants). An increase of 1% in ∑OH-fluorene was associated with a decrease of 73 mL in FEV1 and 59 mL in FVC. In addition, ∑OH-phenanthrene concentrations were, in a dose-response manner, inversely associated with FEV1 (B from -109 to -48 compared with the lowest quartile of ∑OH-phenanthrene; p trend 0.004) and FVC (B from -159 to -102 compared with lowest quartile; p-trend0.001). Similar dose-response associations were also observed between ∑OH-fluorene and FEV1 and FVC, as well as between 1-OH-pyrene and FEV1/FVC (p-trend0.05). There was no association between PAH exposure and FeNO, nor was there an interaction with smoking, sex, or asthma.Low-level PAH exposure was, in a dose-response manner, associated with reduced lung function in young adults. Our findings have public health implications due to i) the widespread occurrence of PAHs in the environment and ii) the clinical relevance of lung function in predicting all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality.

Background: Extremely preterm birth before 28 weeks of gestation is a risk factor for chronic lung morbidity. Lung function follow up is therefore important in this group. Dynamic spirometry is the most widely used method, but impulse oscillometry (IOS) has been shown to be easier to perform in young children. Correlation between spirometry and IOS parameters has not been investigated in children born extremely preterm. Aim: To investigate the feasibility of performing, and to evaluate the correlation between spirometry and IOS outcomes in 6 year-old-children born extremely preterm. Methods: Spirometry and IOS were performed according to ERS guidelines in 6-year old children born extremely preterm (n=88) and term controls (n=84) in Stockholm, Sweden. Correlation between IOS and spirometry parameters were analyzed in the preterm group using Pearson’s partial correlation adjusting for height. Results: Success rates for spirometry and IOS did not differ significantly between the preterm and term groups (93% and 94% for IOS, p=0.79; 57% and 64% for spirometry, p=0.33). Spirometry and IOS outcomes correlated significantly in the preterm group, where the strongest estimates were found between Forced Expiratory Volume at 0.75 seconds (FEV0.75) and Reactance area (Ax), Table 1. Conclusion: Our results suggest that young children born extremely preterm have the same difficulties in performing spirometry as children born term. Further, spirometry and IOS parameters correlate significantly in children born extremely preterm.

BACKGROUND Perinatal conditions may be associated with future allergic disease; however, data are conflicting and incomplete for childhood allergic rhinitis (AR). The aim of this study was to examine pregnancy outcome (cesarean delivery, preterm birth, low birthweight) and offspring AR as defined by national registers. METHODS Nationwide longitudinal cohort study using prospectively recorded register data from 1 059 600 singleton livebirths born in Sweden in 2001-2012. Cox regression adjusted for infant sex and maternal factors (age at delivery, country of birth, parity, smoking, body mass index, and asthma/pulmonary disease) estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for AR during childhood. RESULTS During the study period 2001-2013, 22 386 (2.11%) children were diagnosed with AR. AR was more common in infants born through cesarean delivery (2.34%) than in those born vaginally (2.10%) (HR = 1.12; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.08-1.16). This was equivalent to one extra case of AR in 383 children followed up in our study. AR was also associated with moderately preterm birth (≥32-36 weeks of gestation: HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.04-1.20), large for gestational age (HR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01-1.10), and low (

Dietary antioxidant intake has been hypothesised to influence lung function. The association between total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the diet at age 8 years and lung function development up to 16 years in 2307 participants from the Swedish population-based birth cohort BAMSE (Children, Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiology) was investigated. Information on TAC was obtained from a food frequency questionnaire at 8 years. Lung function was measured by spirometry at 8 and 16 years, impulse oscillometry (IOS) and exhaled nitric oxide fraction (FeNO) at 16 years. Low lung function was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) z-score below the 25th percentile. Longitudinal associations between TAC and lung function were analysed by mixed effect models adjusted for potential confounders. Stratification by asthma at 8 years was performed to examine effect modification. The median TAC intake was 10 067 μmol Trolox equivalents (TE)·g−1, with males having a lower mean compared to females (9963 versus 10 819 μmol TE·g−1). In analyses of lung function change between 8 and 16 years, there were no statistically significant associations between TAC in tertiles and spirometry results for the total study population. Among children with asthma at 8 years (prevalence 7%), higher TAC was associated with higher mean FEV1 (0.46 sd, 95% CI 0.11–0.80) and decreased odds of low lung function at 16 years (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12–0.65). There were no associations between TAC and forced vital capacity or IOS/FeNO results. High dietary antioxidant intake in school age may be associated with improved lung function development from school age to adolescence among children with asthma., Dietary antioxidant intake at school age may influence lung function development as measured by FEV1 up to adolescence among children with asthma. In contrast, no association was observed among children without asthma. http://bit.ly/2CzEZ8W

Background: Traffic related air pollution (TRAP) is a well-known risk factor for lung disease. In particular, exposure during infancy has been shown to affect lung function later in childhood. However, there are few studies investigating the effect on lung function in infancy. Aims and Objectives: To investigate lung function in infancy in relation to TRAP exposure, hypothesizing that the effect on lung function is apparent already in infancy. Methods: Through a combination of birth registers and address based exposure assessment a total of 99 infants resident within Stockholm city at addresses with low (PM10 Results: There were no significant differences in lung function between infants with low and high levels of TRAP exposure (Table 1). *Maximal forced expired flow at functional residual capacity #Forced expiratory volume at 0.5 seconds Conclusion: Using a binary indicator of TRAP exposure, we found no significant effects on lung function at six months of age. This may have to do with comparatively low levels of air pollution in Stockholm.