Preterm birth, birth weight, infant weight gain and their associations with childhood asthma and spirometry: a cross-sectional observational study in Nairobi, Kenya

Cressida Bowyer, Hellen Meme, Graham Devereux*, Sarah West, Cindy Gray, Kevin Mortimer, Fred Orina, Maia Lesosky, Evans Amukoye, Jeremiah Chakaya, Ruaraidh Dobson, Jonathan Fuld, Richard Kiplimo, Amos Ndombi, Angela Obasi, Jennifer K. Quint, Sean Semple, Lindsay Zurba

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, the origins of asthma and high prevalence of abnormal lung function remain unclear. In high-income countries (HICs), associations between birth measurements and childhood asthma and lung function highlight the importance of antenatal and early life factors in the aetiology of asthma and abnormal lung function in children. We present here the first study in sub-Saharan Africa to relate birth characteristics to both childhood respiratory symptoms and lung function.

Methods: Children attending schools in two socioeconomically contrasting but geographically close areas of Nairobi, Kenya, were recruited to a cross-sectional study of childhood asthma and lung function. Questionnaires quantified respiratory symptoms and preterm birth; lung function was measured by spirometry; and parents were invited to bring the child’s immunisation booklet containing records of birth weight and serial weights in the first year.

Results: 2373 children participated, 52% girls, median age (IQR), 10 years (8–13). Spirometry data were available for 1622. Child immunisation booklets were available for 500 and birth weight and infant weight gain data were available for 323 and 494 children, respectively. In multivariable analyses, preterm birth was associated with the childhood symptoms ‘wheeze in the last 12 months’; OR 1.64, (95% CI 1.03 to 2.62), p=0.038; and ‘trouble breathing’ 3.18 (95% CI 2.27 to 4.45), p<0.001. Birth weight (kg) was associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s z-score, regression coefficient (β) 0.30 (0.08, 0.52), p=0.008, FVC z-score 0.29 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.51); p=0.008 and restricted spirometry, OR 0.11 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.78), p=0.027.

Conclusion: These associations are in keeping with those in HICs and highlight antenatal factors in the aetiology of asthma and lung function abnormalities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere001895
Number of pages8
JournalBMJ Open Respiratory Research
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Sept 2023

Keywords

  • lung health
  • asthma
  • birth weight
  • Kenya
  • UKRI
  • MRC
  • MR/S009027/1

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