Recurrent wheezing: prevalence and associated factors in infants from Buenos Aires City, Argentina

Background: The episodes of bronchial obstruction at early age constitute a frequent problem in Pediatrics. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of recurrent wheezing in infants in Buenos Aires City and to identify its associated factors. Methods: a Cross-sectional study performed from 2011 to 2012 in the Children Hospital Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires City, as part of the International Study of Wheezing in Infants. A validated questionnaire was applied to parents of infants aged between 12 and 15 months. The wheezing prevalence, mainly in recurrent patients (three or more episodes) was evaluated, and its likely associated factors. Data were statistically analyzed employing χ2 test, Fisher’s test, binary, and logistics multiple regression analysis, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Over 1063 infants, 58.9% (confidence interval (CI) 95% 55.9-61.9) had at least one episode of wheezing and 26.3% (CI95% 23.8-29.9) had three or more episodes (recurrent wheezing). Risk factors associated to wheezing were male sex (p = 0.001), six or more episodes of cold during the first year of life (p < 0.0001), age at first cold <4 months (p < 0.0001); pneumonia (p < 0.0001) and tobacco smoking during pregnancy (p = 0.01). For recurrent wheezing, risk factors we considered as six or more episodes of cold during the first year of life (p < 0.0001), early (< 4 month old) onset wheezing (p < 0.0001) and nocturnal wheezing (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The prevalence of recurrent wheezing among infants in Buenos Aires City was high (26.3%). Some identified associated factors