Risk factors for acute wheezing in infants and children : viruses, passive smoke, and IgE antibodies to inhalant allergens

Objective. To examine the prevalence of viral infection, passive smoke exposure, and IgE antibody to inhaled allergens in infants and children treated for acute wheezing. Design. Case-control study of actively wheezing children who were compared with children without respiratory tract symptoms. Setting. University of Virginia Pediatric Emergency Room. Patients. Convenience sample of 99 wheezing patients (2 months to 16 years of age) and 57 control patients (6 months to 16 years of age). Measurements and results. Serum IgE antibody to inhalant allergens, measured by radioallergosorbent test (RAST), was uncommon in wheezing and control patients under age 2