Does Pneumonia in Childhood Lead to Impaired Lung Function in Adults?

Prior studies suggest an association between pneumonia in early childhood and long-term respiratory sequelae, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Researchers from the Tucson Children's Respiratory Study previously showed that radiologically ascertained pneumonia during the first 3 years of life was associated with persistent airway obstruction and asthma for up to 11 years (Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1999; 159:1891). Now, researchers report findings in the same cohort of patients followed up to 29 years of age.

A total of 646 participants had complete follow-up for lower respiratory tract illnesses in the first 3 years of life and underwent at least one pulmonary function test at age 11, 16, 22, or 26 years. Physician-…