Aims and Hypotheses

The project therefore plans to investigate whether low birth weight, and rapid early growth (0-2 years), in addition to asthma, early transient wheeze and maternal smoking, are associated with the development of specific obstructive pulmonary function abnormalities in adolescence.

We have hypothesised that there is an association with low birth weight/IUGR and the development of reduced pulmonary function; that there is also an association between rapid growth during 0-2 years and reduced pulmonary function; and that asthma may mediate this. In addition, the project plans to look at whether low birth weight explains the association between maternal smoking and reduced function.