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Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs
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Lung Function of Adults Born at Very Low Birth Weight

Jun Yang1, Rachel A Kingsford1, John Horwood2

  • 1Respiratory Physiology Laboratory and.

Pediatrics
|January 5, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Adults who experienced very low birth weight (VLBW) show lasting impaired lung function, with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) causing further damage. These findings highlight the long-term pulmonary consequences of premature birth.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Neonatology
  • Adult Health

Background:

  • Long-term lung health consequences of very low birth weight (VLBW) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remain incompletely understood.
  • VLBW survivors may experience persistent pulmonary deficits into adulthood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare lung function in adulthood between VLBW survivors and term-born controls.
  • To assess the additional impact of a history of BPD on lung function in VLBW adults.

Main Methods:

  • Lung function tests, including spirometry, lung volumes, diffusing capacity, and single-breath nitrogen washout, were performed on 226 VLBW survivors and 100 term controls at ages 26-30 years.
  • Data were analyzed to compare lung function parameters between VLBW survivors and controls, and between VLBW subjects with and without a history of BPD.

Main Results:

  • VLBW survivors exhibited a higher prevalence of obstructive spirometry patterns (35% vs. 14%) and significantly impaired lung function compared to controls.
  • Key differences included lower FEV1/FVC, reduced diffusing capacity, increased residual volume, and greater ventilatory inhomogeneity in VLBW adults.
  • Within the VLBW group, those with a history of BPD showed significantly worse lung function, including reduced FEV1 and increased ventilatory inhomogeneity.

Conclusions:

  • Very low birth weight is associated with persistent pulmonary impairment, including airflow obstruction, gas trapping, and reduced gas exchange into adulthood.
  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia acts as an additional detrimental factor, further compromising small airway function in VLBW adults.
Abstract

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