Lo studio di coorte WAVES (Wheezing, Asthma and Viral effects on the Epithelial Structure and function): motivazioni, progetto e metodi per comprendere lo sviluppo delle vie aeree e il ruolo delle infezioni respiratorie virali precoci nella comparsa dell'asma infantile.

INTRODUCTION: The airway epithelial barrier continues to develop during the first year of life, representing a critical time window of susceptibility to the effects of respiratory viruses that may contribute to the development of childhood asthma. This study specifically aimed to assess the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection on the longitudinal development of the airway epithelium, airway metabolism, DNA methylation and subsequent childhood asthma. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Wheezing, Asthma and Viral effects on the Epithelial Structure and function (WAVES) birth cohort study is a prospective, observational birth cohort that is enrolling mother-child dyads beginning in pre