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Lung function in children born after foetal growth restriction and very preterm birth

Eva Morsing1, Per Gustafsson, Jana Brodszki

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Sweden. eva.morsing@med.lu.se

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 10, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children born preterm with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) show reduced lung function at school age. This effect is more pronounced in those born after 26 weeks gestational age.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Neonatology
  • Fetal Medicine

Background:

  • Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm birth can impact long-term respiratory health.
  • Assessing lung function in this vulnerable population is crucial for understanding developmental outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate lung function at early school age in children born preterm with IUGR.
  • To compare lung function between preterm IUGR, preterm appropriate-for-gestational-age, and term appropriate-for-gestational-age groups.

Main Methods:

  • Spirometry was conducted in 31 preterm infants with IUGR (PT-IUGR) at a median age of 8.4 years.
  • Control groups included 31 preterm infants appropriate-for-gestational-age (PT-AGA) and 31 term infants appropriate-for-gestational-age (T-AGA).
  • Groups were matched for gender, age, and gestational age at birth where applicable.

Main Results:

  • The PT-IUGR group exhibited significantly lower z-scores for FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF(25-75%) compared to the T-AGA group.
  • No significant differences in lung function were observed between PT-IUGR and PT-AGA groups overall.
  • However, preterm IUGR children born at or after 26 weeks gestational age showed reduced FEF(25-75%) compared to PT-AGA controls.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm infants with IUGR demonstrate impaired lung function in early school years compared to term-born peers.
  • The detrimental effect of IUGR on lung function is evident in preterm infants born after 26 weeks gestational age.
Abstract

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