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Birth weight <1501 g and respiratory health at age 14
L W Doyle1, M M Cheung, G W Ford
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Australia. Doyle l.doyle@obgyn-rwh.unimelb.edu.au
Insights
Children born with low birth weight (<1501 g) show comparable adolescent respiratory health to normal birth weight peers. Lung function is generally normal, though some flow variables are lower in preterm children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants face increased risks for respiratory complications.
- Long-term respiratory outcomes in adolescents born preterm with low birth weight require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the respiratory health of adolescents born with birth weights <1501 g.
- To compare respiratory outcomes in this cohort with those of normal birth weight controls.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study involving preterm children (birth weight 500-999 g and 1000-1500 g) and a control group (birth weight >2499 g).
- Clinical respiratory status assessed by a pediatrician and lung function measured at 14 years of age.
Main Results:
- Most preterm children had normal lung function at 14 years, with infrequent hospital readmissions for respiratory issues.
- Asthma rates were similar across all groups (preterm and controls).
- Preterm children exhibited significantly lower values for flow-reflecting lung function variables compared to controls, particularly those with a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
Conclusions:
- Adolescents born with birth weights <1501 g demonstrate respiratory health comparable to term-born controls.
- While overall lung function is largely preserved, subtle differences in airflow parameters persist in preterm survivors.
Aims:
To determine the respiratory health in adolescence of children of birth weight <1501 g, and to compare the results with normal birthweight controls.
Methods:
Prospective cohort study of children born in the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. Two cohorts of preterm children (86 consecutive survivors 500-999 g birth weight, and 124 consecutive survivors 1000-1500 g birth weight) and a control group of 60 randomly selected children >2499 g birth weight were studied. Children were assessed at 14 years of age. A paediatrician determined the clinical respiratory status. Lung function was measured according to standard guidelines.
Results:
Of 180 preterm children seen at age 14, 42 (23%) had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in the newborn period. Readmission to hospital for respiratory ill health was infrequent in all groups and the rates of asthma were similar (15% in the 500-999 g birth weight group, 21% in the 1000-1500 g birth weight group, 21% in controls; 19% BPD, 18% no BPD). Overall, lung function was mostly within the normal range for all cohorts; few children had lung function abnormalities in clinically significant ranges. However, the preterm children had significantly lower values for variables reflecting flow. Lung function in children of 500-999 g birth weight was similar to children of 1000-1500 g birth weight. Preterm children with BPD had significantly lower values for variables reflecting flow than children without BPD.
Conclusions:
The respiratory health of children of birth weight <1501 g at 14 years of age is comparable to that of term controls.