Lung function trajectories and determinants in early life

Evidence has accumulated to support the importance of early-life events on long-term lung growth and development with consequences for overall health across the life course. Numerous studies involving several decades of follow-up have led to the understanding that a range of lung function trajectories exists in the population. 1 Melén E Faner R Allinson JP et al. Lung-function trajectories: relevance and implementation in clinical practice. Lancet. 2024; (published online March 12.)https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(24)00016-3 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar However, most longitudinal cohort studies included prospective data from school age children without baseline infant lung function data, 2 Dharmage SC Bui DS Walters EH et al. Lifetime spirometry patterns of obstruction and restriction, and their risk factors and outcomes: a prospective cohort study. Lancet Respir Med. 2023; 11: 273-282 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (40) Google Scholar or were conducted only in high-income settings. 3 Salem Y Jakob J Steinberg R et al. Cohort profile update: the Bern Basel Infant Lung Development Cohort. Int J Epidemiol. 2024; 53dyad164 Crossref Scopus (0) Google Scholar Thus, our detailed understanding of early-life lung function trajectories and its determinants, particularly in low-income and middle-income settings, is currently limited, while the importance of early-life events for long-term lung health is becoming increasingly clear. 4 Svanes C Sunyer J Plana E et al. Early life origins of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thorax. 2010; 65: 14-20 Crossref PubMed Scopus (355) Google Scholar Determinants of lung function development from birth to age 5 years: an interrupted time series analysis of a South African birth cohortPublic health interventions targeting LRTI prevention, with RSV a priority, are vital, particularly in low-income and middle-income settings. Full-Text PDF Open Access