Low birth weight and respiratory disease in adulthood: a population-based case-control study.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

The proportion of low and very low birth weight births is increasing. Infants and children with a history of low and very low birth weight have an increased risk of respiratory illnesses, but it is unknown if clinically significant disease persists into adulthood.

Objectives

To determine if a history of low birth weight is associated with hospitalization for respiratory illness in adulthood.

Methods

This study was a population-based, case-control study. Cases were adults 18 to 27 years of age who were hospitalized for a respiratory illness from 1998 to 2007 within Washington State who could be linked to a Washington State birth certificate for the years 1980 to 1988. Four control subjects, frequency matched by birth year, were randomly selected from Washingt

SUBMITTER: Walter EC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2714821 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature