S107 Maternal and early-childhood risk factors on lung function in early adulthood

Abstract

Introduction and objectives Low lung function in adult life could be attributed to poor lung growth with low maximal lung function in early adulthood, rapid decline during adult life or a combination of these. The aim of this study is to identify maternal and early childhood determinants of lung function in young adults, incorporating preconception risk factors for asthma and low lung function using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Methods A list of putative risk factors for low lung function during childhood and early adulthood was constructed using prior knowledge, either based on biological plausibility or previous publications and categorised according to timing of exposure: demographic, maternal, pregnancy and child, perinatal and postnatal characteristics. Associations of risk factors with lung function measures at 24 years were examined separately for males and females using multiple linear regression models with adjustment for all variables in same category as the risk factor of interest, and additionally for all variables in preceding categories (i.e. those that were measured earlier). Results 2271 (37.4% males) participants had data on early risk factors and lung function at 24 years. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was strongly associated with reduced FEV1/FVC (Mean diff. −1.5%; 95% CI −2.3 to −0.7, p-value=4×10-4) and low birthweight ( Conclusions Preliminary results using ALSPAC data suggest sex-specific early childhood determinants of maximally attained lung function. These will be investigated across the lifecourse as part of the Ageing Lungs in European Cohorts (ALEC) study.