THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PNEUMONIA IN EARLY-CHILDHOOD AND IMPAIRED LUNG-FUNCTION IN LATE ADULT LIFE

This study related respiratory illness documented in the first 2 yr of life to the lung function of 618 men and women with a mean age of 70 yr living in Derbyshire, England. Pneumonia before 2 yr of age was associated with a lower mean FEV(1), adjusted for age and height. In men, the difference was -0.65 L (95% Cl: -1.02, -0.29; p = 0.0005). This estimate did not diminish after adjustment for smoking and asthma. In women, the reduction in mean FEV(1) associated with pneumonia before 2 yr of age was smaller and nonsignificant. Bronchitis, measles, and whooping cough before 2 yr of age were not associated with diminished adult lung function in either sex. The findings in men support a causal relationship between pneumonia in early childhood and COPD in late adult life.