Scientists explain predisposition to bronchiolitis in babies

October 21st, 2007 by admin

A recent report informs that a great proportion of infants with bronchiolitis have an inherent predisposition.

Bronchiolitis is the most common acute wheezing disease in infants and is a frequent reason of admission to hospital during the first year of life in developed countries. Moreover, about 10% of these patients need respiratory support.

Bronchiolitis usually develops in babies undergoing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Although in most cases infection with RSV produce mild symptoms like cough and wheeze, some can develop potentially life-threatening bronchiolitis. Although premature babies are more susceptible to this condition, the majority of hospitalized infants were otherwise healthy. The study made by University of Liverpool researchers found that these babies that got the severe manifestation but were previously healthy have a different immune response to the ones with mild symptoms. The study, with about 200 babies recorded during 5 years found that those having severe bronchiolitis had lower levels of interferon-gamma and P-substance in their airway secretions. Gamma interferon is made in the body in response to viral infections. P substance is less known but is believed to be involved in the inflammatory process.

Study members said that the work helps to understand the relationship between chest problems in childhood with the occurrence of bronchiolitis in infancy. This study shows that the predisposition to bronchiolitis is related to the capacity to fight viruses. Since the RSV is the most common respiratory virus around, it is the most lilely to be caught by babies with reduced ability to fight infections. The investigators conclude that the relation between bronchiolitis in babies and chest propensity in childhood is due to a common immune predisposition and is likely to have genetic basis.