Early respiratory infection is associated with reduced spirometry in children with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Rationale: Pulmonary inflammation, infection, and structural lung disease occur early in life in children with cystic fibrosis. Objectives: We hypothesized that the presence of these markers of cystic fibrosis lung disease in the first 2 years of life would be associated with reduced lung function in childhood. Methods: Lung function (forced expiratory volume in the first three-quarters of a second [FEV0.75], FVC) was assessed in individuals with cystic fibrosis diagnosed after newborn screening and healthy subjects during infancy (0-2 yr) and again at early school age (4-8 yr). Individuals with cystic fibrosis underwent annual bronchoalveolar lavage fluid examination, and chest computed tom..