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Diminished lung function, RSV infection, and respiratory morbidity in prematurely born infants

S Broughton1, R Bhat, A Roberts

  • 1Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, Guy's, King's & St Thomas' School of Medicine, King's College London, UK.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|September 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Infants born prematurely with worse lung function before leaving the neonatal unit were more likely to develop respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and experience ongoing respiratory issues.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Diminished lung function is a known risk factor for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in term-born infants.
  • Premature infants are particularly vulnerable to respiratory illnesses due to underdeveloped lungs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between pre-discharge lung function and subsequent symptomatic RSV lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in prematurely born infants.
  • To determine if impaired lung function predicts respiratory morbidity following neonatal discharge.

Main Methods:

  • Lung function (respiratory system compliance and resistance, functional residual capacity) was measured in 39 infants (median gestational age 28 weeks) at 36 weeks postmenstrual age.
  • Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected for RSV detection in infants experiencing LRTI after discharge.
  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was present in 20 of the infants.

Main Results:

  • Infants who developed symptomatic RSV LRTI exhibited higher respiratory system resistance (R(rs)) and more wheezing.
  • Regression analysis confirmed a significant association between elevated R(rs) and symptomatic RSV LRTI.
  • High R(rs) was also a significant factor for cough and wheeze in the study cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Worse lung function at the time of neonatal unit discharge is linked to subsequent symptomatic RSV LRTI in prematurely born infants.
  • Impaired respiratory system resistance prior to discharge is a predictor of respiratory morbidity, including cough and wheeze.
  • These findings highlight the importance of assessing lung function in preterm infants for predicting respiratory outcomes.
Abstract

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