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Evolution and Determinants of Lung Function until Late Infancy among Infants Born Preterm

Shen-Hao Lai1,2,3, Ming-Chou Chiang1,2, Shih-Ming Chu1,2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Scientific Reports
|January 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) show persistent lung function deficits. Body length and ventilation duration are key factors influencing infant lung health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common complication in preterm infants, affecting long-term respiratory health.
  • Understanding the trajectory of lung function in these infants is crucial for optimizing care and predicting outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the longitudinal changes in lung function in preterm infants with and without BPD.
  • To identify perinatal factors associated with lung function indexes in later infancy.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal lung function assessments were conducted at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months corrected age in 121 preterm infants (61 without BPD, 60 with BPD).
  • Perinatal characteristics were analyzed to determine their influence on lung function.

Main Results:

  • All preterm infants had reduced lung function at 6 months, but only those with BPD showed persistent deficits after adjusting for body length.
  • Infants with mild to moderate BPD showed gradual lung function improvement, while severe BPD cases exhibited persistent poor performance, particularly in forced expiratory flow, up to 24 months.
  • Body length z-score and duration of positive-pressure ventilation were identified as major determinants of later infant lung function.

Conclusions:

  • Infants with BPD experience prolonged lung function impairment, with severity correlating to long-term outcomes.
  • Early perinatal factors, including ventilation support and growth, significantly impact the respiratory trajectory of preterm infants.

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