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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Lung function prior to viral lower respiratory tract infections in prematurely born infants

Simon B Drysdale1, Theresa Wilson, Mireia Alcazar

  • 1Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King’s College London, London, UK.

Thorax
|March 31, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Premature infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or other viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) did not show poorer lung function before illness. However, diminished lung function may increase the risk for severe viral LRTIs in these infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Premature infants experiencing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) often exhibit long-term lung function abnormalities.
  • Understanding factors influencing LRTI severity in premature infants is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if prematurely born infants with symptomatic RSV or other viral LRTIs had poorer lung function prior to infection compared to those without LRTIs.
  • To identify potential predisposing factors for severe viral LRTIs in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • Lung function (FRC, Crs, Rrs) was measured at 36 weeks postmenstrual age in 159 preterm infants.
  • Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected during LRTIs and tested for various respiratory viruses, including RSV.
  • Infants were categorized based on LRTI occurrence (RSV, other viral, or none) and hospitalization status.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in functional residual capacity (FRC), compliance (Crs), or resistance (Rrs) were found between infants with and without viral LRTIs.
  • Infants hospitalized with RSV or other viral LRTIs demonstrated higher respiratory system resistance (Rrs) compared to non-hospitalized infants.

Conclusions:

  • The study did not find evidence that diminished premorbid lung function predisposes premature infants to developing viral LRTIs.
  • Conversely, the findings suggest that pre-existing diminished lung function might increase susceptibility to severe viral LRTIs in infancy.
Abstract

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