Long-Term Respiratory Consequences of Early-Life Respiratory Viral Infections: A Pragmatic Approach to Fundamental Questions

Abstract

Early-life viral infection can have profound effects on the developing lung and immune systems, both important in asthma development. For decades, research has aimed to establish whether there is a causal link between these viral infections as an exposure and asthma later in childhood. Establishing causality will remain important, but new insights regarding early-life viral infection as an exposure, the recognition of asthma as a heterogeneous outcome, and the shared genetic susceptibility to both suggest a refocus from answering the theoretical question of causality toward additional pragmatic approaches focusing on improving patient outcomes across the spectrum of respiratory disease. This Clinical Commentary reviews the evidence on the consequences of early-life viral infection and aims to look beyond the question of causality, suggesting a research agenda specifically aimed at what matters for human development, and for the quality of life of current and future patients with wheezing disorders.

Keywords: Asthma; Human rhinovirus; Pragmatic approach; Respiratory infection; Respiratory syncytial virus.