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Lung Function in Very Low Birth Weight Adults

Heli-Kaisa Saarenpää1, Marjaana Tikanmäki2, Marika Sipola-Leppänen3

  • 1National Institute for Health and Welfare, Diabetes Prevention Unit, Helsinki and Oulu, Finland;

Pediatrics
|September 9, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Young adults born very low birth weight (VLBW) have reduced lung airflow, especially those with a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This indicates an increased risk for obstructive airways disease later in life.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Pulmonology

Background:

  • Lung function in young adulthood predicts future obstructive airways disease.
  • Adults born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) exhibit diminished lung function.
  • Understanding the long-term respiratory health of VLBW infants is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between lung function in young adulthood and preterm birth at VLBW.
  • To determine the impact of BPD and other prenatal/neonatal factors on lung function in VLBW individuals.
  • To assess the risk of developing obstructive airways disease in VLBW adults.

Main Methods:

  • Spirometry was performed on 160 VLBW subjects (aged 18-27 years, 29 with BPD) and 162 term control subjects.
  • Lung function was measured using z scores based on Global Lung Function Initiative standards.
  • Maternal smoking, fetal/postnatal growth, and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome were analyzed as potential influencing factors.

Main Results:

  • VLBW subjects showed significantly reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) z scores compared to controls.
  • Subjects with BPD had the lowest FEV1 z scores, but non-BPD VLBW subjects also had reduced airflow.
  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with poorer airflow, particularly in the BPD-VLBW group.

Conclusions:

  • Young adults born at VLBW demonstrate reduced lung airflow, irrespective of BPD history.
  • A history of BPD exacerbates airflow reduction in VLBW individuals.
  • Reduced airflow in VLBW adults suggests a heightened risk for future obstructive airways disease.
Abstract

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