Childhood wheeze trajectory-specific risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Our findings confirm the consistency of wheeze trajectory groups defined by onset, peak prevalence, and duration; we also suggest a common nomenclature for future trajectory studies. With the exception of the relationship between a family history of asthma and persistent childhood wheezing, commonly suspected wheeze risk factors (childhood atopy, male sex, short duration of breastfeeding, tobacco exposure, daycare attendance, and having siblings) are not trajectory-specific and have varying effects in high-risk vs general population cohorts. Delineation of time-varying risk factor effects may be critical to the specificity of wheeze trajectory group prediction to better inform prognosis and targeted early preventive intervention among at-risk children.