| There is evidence that children's
health in the first year of life affects their subsequent respiratory health. Although the
precise nature of these associations is still unclear children who have lower respiratory
tract infections in the first year of life or who have low body weight at one year also
have low lung function and a higher risk of death from COPD in later life. Lung function
at birth is also adversely affected by maternal smoking. Whatever the precise nature of
these associations it is likely that good infant welfare will be important in establishing
good lung health in later life. The role of specific infections is an area of active
investigation. |
The association of chronic and acute lower
respiratory tract infections with subsequent poor lung health imply that the prompt and
effective treatment of these conditions, including tuberculosis, may be important for
maintaining subsequent good lung health. |
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