Effect of fetal and infant growth on respiratory symptoms in preterm-born children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
• Neonatal Development
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Fetal growth and postnatal weight gain are linked to childhood respiratory problems.
• The preterm-born population requires further study regarding these associations.
• Early life growth patterns may influence respiratory health trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between fetal growth, infant weight gain, and respiratory outcomes in preterm-born children.
• To determine if early life factors mediate the relationship between growth patterns and respiratory symptoms.
• To identify potential modifiable factors influencing respiratory health in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized cohort data from preterm- and term-born children (aged 1-10 years).
• Assessed respiratory outcomes via questionnaire, regressing them on fetal growth and infant weight gain measures.
• Employed mediation analysis to explore mediating variables and effect modifiers.

Main Results:

• Accelerated fetal growth (1st/2nd trimester to birth) correlated with increased wheezing in preterm infants.
• Rapid infant weight gain heightened wheeze risk, particularly in very preterm infants (≤32 weeks' gestation).
• Current maternal smoking and gestational age emerged as significant mediating factors.

Conclusions:

• Antenatal and postnatal growth rates significantly impact respiratory health in preterm children.
• Modifiable factors, such as maternal smoking, may mediate these growth-related respiratory risks.
• Interventions targeting environmental exposures, particularly tobacco smoke, could improve respiratory outcomes.