In Manitoba, 725 children (56.0% boys) were assessed. Mean gestational period was 39.5 ± 2.12 weeks (non-significant [NS] differences by gender). Mean birth weight was 3.38 ± 0.64 kg; girls were significantly smaller than boys (p < 0.006). 114 (16.1%) children (54.4% boys) were SGA. At ages 9.06 ± 0.64 years, 246 (34.1%) of children (149 boys) had asthma. No associations were identified between SGA and asthma, or between SGA and wheeze, when considering both genders combined or amongst boys only. Girls who were SGA were significantly more likely to have wheeze-related sleep disturbances than girls who were non-SGA (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.12-0.94; p < 0.03).
In Bangalore, 432 children (48.0% boys) were assessed for wheeze-like symptoms. Mean gestational period was 38.68 ± 1.62 weeks and mean birth weight was 2.87 ± 0.49 kg (both NS differences between genders). Participants' mean age was 3.78 ± 1.30 years. 130 (30.2%) children (47.7% boys) were SGA. 71 (16.4%) of children (38.4% boys) had a doctor diagnosis of wheeze. SGA children had twice the risk of developing wheeze at follow-up (OR 2.19; 95%CI 1.30-3.68; p < 0.003). After stratification by gender, these associations were only significant amongst boys (OR 3.24; 95% CI 1.44-7.31; p < 0.003).