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Lung function and respiratory health in adolescents of very low birth weight

D Anand1, C J Stevenson, C R West

  • 1FSID Unit of Perinatal and Paediatric Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Liverpool, UK. anand@liverpool.ac.uk

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|January 23, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Very low birth weight (VLBW) adolescents experience reduced lung function, specifically in smaller airways, linked to prematurity, not growth restriction. These individuals also report increased respiratory symptoms like chronic cough and asthma.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric pulmonology
  • Neonatal research
  • Adolescent health

Background:

  • Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500g) may face long-term respiratory challenges.
  • Understanding the specific causes of impaired lung function in VLBW survivors is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between VLBW and adolescent lung function and respiratory health.
  • To differentiate the impact of prematurity versus intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) on these outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 128 VLBW infants and a matched control group were assessed at 15 years of age.
  • Lung function (FVC, FEV1, FEF(25-75%)) was measured via spirometry.
  • Birth weight ratio, neonatal respiratory support, and respiratory morbidity were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • VLBW adolescents showed significant obstruction in medium and small airways (FEF(25-75%) and FEV1/FVC ratio).
  • No correlation was found between birth weight ratio and lung function.
  • Increased prevalence of chronic cough, wheezing, and asthma was observed in the VLBW group.

Conclusions:

  • Prematurity, not IUGR or neonatal respiratory support, is associated with adolescent airway obstruction in VLBW survivors.
  • VLBW adolescents exhibit poorer respiratory health and are more susceptible to conditions like asthma.
Abstract

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