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Published on: January 6, 2015

Pulmonary function in bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Beverley Robin1, Young-Jee Kim, Jaimee Huth

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Children's Hospital, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|February 18, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) show reduced airflow and air trapping. Some infants with BPD also demonstrate significant bronchodilator responsiveness, especially those with recurrent wheezing.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Neonatology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease affecting preterm infants.
  • Prematurity and BPD can lead to long-term pulmonary function abnormalities.
  • Assessing lung function in infants with BPD is crucial for understanding disease progression and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate lung function and bronchodilator responsiveness in infants with a history of prematurity and BPD.
  • To compare pulmonary function parameters between infants with and without BPD.
  • To investigate the impact of recurrent wheezing on airway dysfunction in infants with BPD.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized raised volume rapid thoracoabdominal compression and whole-body plethysmography for spirometry.
  • Measured fractional lung volumes, forced expiratory flows (FEV0.5, FEF75, FEF25-75), and lung volumes (FRC, RV, TLC).
  • Assessed bronchodilator responsiveness by administering albuterol and re-measuring parameters.

Main Results:

  • Infants with BPD history showed decreased forced expiratory flows (P<0.01) and increased residual volume (RV) and RV/TLC (P<0.05) compared to controls.
  • No significant difference in total lung capacity (TLC) was observed between groups.
  • 35% of infants demonstrated significant bronchodilator responsiveness; those with wheezing had more severe airway dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • Infants with BPD exhibit pulmonary function abnormalities, including mild-to-moderate airflow obstruction and air trapping.
  • Hyperinflation and expiratory flow limitation are characteristic findings in this population.
  • Airway responsiveness is more pronounced in infants with recurrent wheezing, suggesting distinct pathophysiological mechanisms.

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