Association between thoracic musculoskeletal abnormalities and lung function in preterm infants

In view of the difficulties and risks of performing lung function tests in infants and the hypothesis that children with abnormal pulmonary test may exhibit thoracic musculoskeletal alterations.

This study aimed to determine the frequency of abnormal lung function and their relationship.

This was a cross-sectional study with children from 6 to 12 months of corrected age, born at a gestational age of <37 weeks and with a birthweight ≤1500 g, who were subjected to a lung function test and photogrammetry--an objective and non-invasive procedure. To verify the association between the thoracic musculoskeletal abnormalities and measure changes in lung function, univariate linear regression was used. The level of statistical significance was setted at P < 0.05.

Of the 38 infants, 12 (31.6%) exhibited abnormal lung function, including 9 (23.7%) with obstructive function and 3 (7.9%) with restrictive function. A significant association was noted between forced expiratory volume at 0.5 second <-2 z score and the acromion/xiphoid process/acromion angle (β = 4.935); forced vital capacity <-2 z score and the angle of the manubrium/left acromion/trapezium (β = 0.033) and forced expiratory volume at 0.5 second and forced vital capacity ratio <-2 z score and the inframammillary point/xiphoid process/inframammillary point angle (β = 0.043).

Preterm infants with very low birthweight presented a high frequency of abnormal lung function, particularly obstructive type and thoracic musculoskeletal abnormalities were associated with changes in lung function.