Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs
Published on: October 31, 2025
[Characteristics of lung function in preterm infants with varying degrees of bronchopulmonary dysplasia]
Min-chao Wei1, Jia-lin Yu, Xiao-hong Liu
1Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Chongqing Children' Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400016, China.
Insights
Lung function in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) shows altered respiratory patterns and reduced lung volumes. Moderate to severe BPD is linked to increased airway resistance and decreased lung function.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
Context:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease affecting preterm infants.
- Understanding lung function in BPD is crucial for optimizing respiratory support and long-term outcomes.
- Preterm infants with BPD exhibit significant respiratory challenges.
Purpose:
- To investigate and characterize lung function parameters in preterm infants across varying severities of BPD.
- To compare lung function in infants with mild, moderate, and severe BPD against non-BPD preterm and term infants.
- To identify associations between lung function metrics and the degree of BPD.
Summary:
- Lung function tests at 44 weeks postmenstrual age revealed differences in respiratory rate, tidal volume, and expiratory flow among groups.
- Infants with moderate and severe BPD showed higher respiratory rates and reduced functional residual capacity and expiratory time compared to non-BPD preterm infants.
- Lung function parameters, except for lung clearance index, were significantly associated with the severity of BPD.
Impact:
- Findings highlight distinct patterns of respiratory dysfunction in BPD infants.
- Results indicate increased airway resistance and altered lung mechanics in moderate to severe BPD.
- This study provides valuable data for clinical management and research in pediatric respiratory diseases.
Objective:
To explore the characteristics of lung function in preterm infants with varying degrees of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD).
Methods:
There were 407 infants (278 males and 129 females) were recruited from Shenzhen Children' Hospital between January 2011 and October 2012.Among them 188 term infants (term group)and 113 preterm infants (non-BPD preterm group) were selected as controls. A total of 106 BPD infants from the observation group were divided into mild(n = 48), moderate (n = 42) and severe(n = 16) sub-groups according to the definition of BPD. Infants with diseases interfering with lung function, such as congenital heart disease, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, or thoracic wall deformities, were excluded. Lung function was tested at a postmenstrual age (PMA) of 44 weeks.q test, Dunnett C test and Spearman analysis were used for statistical analysis.
Results:
The age range was 17-116 d, test weight range 1.83-7.00 kg and test height range 40.0-64.0 cm.In non-BPD preterm group, the respiratory rate (RR) was higher than that in term group ((50 ± 13) vs (44 ± 10) times/min,P < 0.01) ,while the tidal volume(TV), ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory time and expiratory time (Tpef/Te) and peak expiratory flow(TPEF) were all less than those in term group ((25 ± 9) vs (29 ± 7)ml,29% ± 9% vs 33% ± 8%, (59 ± 23) vs (65 ± 25)ml/s,all P < 0.05) .Neither functional residual capacity(FRC) nor lung clearance index (LCI) had significant statistical difference between two groups ((20 ± 5) vs (19 ± 5)ml/kg, 8.4 ± 2.8 vs 8.7 ± 3.4, all P > 0.05)) . In moderate and severe BPD groups, RR ((57 ± 9), (58 ± 10) times/min) were both higher than that in non-BPD group(both P < 0.05) while RR in mild group ((53 ± 13)times/min)had no statistical significant difference with non-BPD group (P > 0.05). The values of TV and LCI in mild, moderate and severe BPD groups have no statistical significance with non-BPD group (all P > 0.05). Except for mild BPD group(24% ± 13%, (18 ± 5)ml/kg), Tpef/Te and FRC in both moderate and severe groups (20% ± 9% and 18% ± 5%, (15 ± 3)and (15 ± 4)ml/kg)were less than those in non-BPD group(all P < 0.05). Only in severe BPD group ((85 ± 11)ml/s), TPEF was higher than that in non-BPD group(P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that, except for LCI, all of these parameters were significantly associated with the degree of BPD(all P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
For BPD and non-BPD preterm infants, there are various changes in respiratory rhythm, lung volume, ventilation inhomogeneity, ventilatory efficiency and small airway resistance. The increases of pulmonary elastic recoil and degree of major airway constriction are obvious in moderate and severe BPD infants.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
01:23Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema
01:19Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...