Abstract
Background
We aimed to identify potential risk factors for recurrent respiratory tract infection among Chinese preschool-aged children, and further to construct a nomogram prediction model.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional survey conducted in Beijing. Utilizing a stratified cluster random sampling strategy, a total of 7222 children from 20 kindergartens were enrolled. Data are analyzed by STATA software and R language.
Results
Five independent factors were identified to be significantly associated with recurrent respiratory tract infection risk overall and by pathogenic sites. The significant odds of recurrent respiratory tract infection was 8.31 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.69–12.12, P < 0.001), 2.31 (2.06–2.58, P < 0.001), 1.72 (1.48–1.99, P < 0.001), 1.24 (1.08–1.43, P = 0.002), and 1.19 (1.09–1.31, P < 0.001) for asthma, allergy, initial use of antibiotics <6 months, breastfeeding duration <6 months, and maternal body mass index, respectively. Besides the leading role played by asthma, allergy, initial use of antibiotics, and breastfeeding might exert a graded, dose-dependent effect on recurrent respiratory tract infection susceptibility.
Conclusions
We have identified five potential risk factors for the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infection from 7222 preschool-aged Chinese children. Notably, asthma plays a leading role, and allergy, initial use of antibiotics, and breastfeeding might exert a graded, dose-dependent effect on recurrent respiratory tract infection susceptibility.
Impact
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This is the first report of examining the joint contribution of multiple potential risk factors to recurrent respiratory tract infection among Chinese preschool-aged children.
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We have identified five potential risk factors for the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infection via analyzing survey data from 7222 preschool-aged Chinese children.
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Asthma plays a leading role, and allergy, initial use of antibiotics, and breastfeeding might exert a graded, dose-dependent effect on recurrent respiratory tract infection susceptibility.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to all participating children and their parents or guardians for their cooperation and willingness, as well as kindergarten teachers and health physicians for their great help.
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Z.Z. planned and designed the study, and directed its implementation. Z.Z. drafted the protocol. B.Z., K.W., Y.Y., J.Z., and Z.Z. obtained statutory and ethics approvals. B.Z. and W.N. contributed to data acquisition. B.Z., F.L., and W.N. conducted statistical analyses. B.Z., K.W., Y.Y., Y.W., J.Z., F.L., and W.N. did the data preparation and quality control. B.Z. and W.N. wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript prior to submission.
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Zhou, B., Niu, W., Liu, F. et al. Risk factors for recurrent respiratory tract infection in preschool-aged children. Pediatr Res 90, 223–231 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-020-01233-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-020-01233-4
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