Savran O, et al. - This investigation was carried out to offer an update on current knowledge of early nongenetic origins of COPD. Risk factor for subsequent development of COPD included tobacco exposure in utero and early life. Other seemingly important determinants for later development of COPD included low birth weight, lower respiratory tract infections and asthma, including wheezy bronchitis, in childhood. Overall, early life insults may be crucial to COPD development.