Association of childhood asthma with late preterm and early term birth

Abstract

In this issue of The Journal, Harju et al in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kuopio University Hospital, Finland, report a retrospective study of children born preterm or at early term with regards to risk of asthma. They used an observational, hospital-based, case-controlled design to enroll 44 173 women. The results showed that children born before 32 weeks gestation had a significantly increased risk of asthma (adjusted OR 3.9). The risk of asthma was also increased in late preterm deliveries and in early term deliveries. Delivery at 41 weeks gestation or later was associated with a decreased risk of asthma. The majority of cases in children born before term were in the early term group. So, even though there was an inverse relationship between individual risk of asthma and gestational age of birth, the the highest incidence was the result of late preterm and early term deliveries. Current initiatives to reduce rates of prematurity may have a positive impact on rates of asthma in children.Article page 295▶ In this issue of The Journal, Harju et al in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kuopio University Hospital, Finland, report a retrospective study of children born preterm or at early term with regards to risk of asthma. They used an observational, hospital-based, case-controlled design to enroll 44 173 women. The results showed that children born before 32 weeks gestation had a significantly increased risk of asthma (adjusted OR 3.9). The risk of asthma was also increased in late preterm deliveries and in early term deliveries. Delivery at 41 weeks gestation or later was associated with a decreased risk of asthma. The majority of cases in children born before term were in the early term group. So, even though there was an inverse relationship between individual risk of asthma and gestational age of birth, the the highest incidence was the result of late preterm and early term deliveries. Current initiatives to reduce rates of prematurity may have a positive impact on rates of asthma in children. Article page 295▶ The Burden of Childhood Asthma and Late Preterm and Early Term BirthsThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 164Issue 2PreviewTo evaluate the association between gestational age at birth and the risk of subsequent development of asthma. Full-Text PDF