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Respiratory function in adolescence in relation to low birth weight, preterm delivery, and intrauterine growth

Rosângela da C Lima1, Cesar G Victora, Ana Maria B Menezes

  • 1Post-Graduate Programme in Epidemiology, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 464, Pelotas, 96001-970, Brazil. roclima@terra.com.br

Chest
|October 21, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight (LBW) in males was not linked to reduced respiratory function at age 18. Birth complications like preterm delivery or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) also showed no lasting impact on lung function.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric pulmonology
  • Birth cohort studies
  • Respiratory health research

Background:

  • Birth weight and gestational factors can influence long-term health outcomes.
  • Understanding the impact of intrauterine conditions on adolescent respiratory function is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between birth weight, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and respiratory function in 18-year-old males.
  • To determine if low birth weight (LBW) is associated with impaired lung function in late adolescence.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based birth cohort study was conducted.
  • Subsamples of 118 males with LBW (< 2,500 g) and 236 normal birth weight males were assessed at age 18.
  • Respiratory function was measured using spirometry (FEV1 and FVC).

Main Results:

  • Crude analysis indicated lower FEV1 and FVC in LBW subjects, but these differences were not statistically significant after adjustments.
  • Stratified analysis showed reduced FEV1 and FVC in LBW subjects with IUGR compared to controls, which also disappeared after confounder adjustment.
  • Preterm delivery alone was not associated with diminished lung function at age 18.

Conclusions:

  • In this cohort, low birth weight was not found to be associated with respiratory function in 18-year-old males.
  • Neither preterm delivery nor IUGR demonstrated a significant long-term association with adolescent lung function after accounting for confounding factors.
Abstract

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