Researchers at Imperial College London have found that lower respiratory infections in early childhood are associated with a higher risk of dying from respiratory diseases in adulthood. Research published in the journal Lancet.
The scientists used data from the NSHD study, which included people born in 1946. Health data were followed up to 2019. Of the 3,589 participants in the study, 913 had a lower respiratory tract infection before age 2. Such infections often lead to pneumonia and bronchitis.
Children who had a lower respiratory tract infection before the age of two were 93% more likely to die early from respiratory diseases than those without the infection. Overall, the adult mortality rate from respiratory disease was 2.1% among the survivors and 1.1% among the non-infected. Analyzes were adjusted for childhood socioeconomic conditions and smoking status.
The researchers noted that there may be other unreported risk factors, such as parental smoking and preterm birth. However, their findings highlight the importance of preventing lower respiratory tract infections in early childhood.
The findings challenge the misconception that all deaths from COPD and other respiratory diseases are lifestyle related.