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Predicting Lung Health Trajectories for Survivors of Preterm Birth
James T D Gibbons1,2,3, Andrew C Wilson1,2,3, Shannon J Simpson1,2
1Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.
Insights
Preterm birth survivors often face long-term respiratory issues. Early life factors significantly influence their lung function development throughout life.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pulmonology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Preterm birth rates are rising globally, increasing the number of infants requiring specialized perinatal care.
- While survival rates for very preterm (<32 weeks) and extremely preterm (<28 weeks) infants have improved, they frequently experience long-term respiratory complications.
- Lung function trajectories are established early in life and tend to persist throughout an individual's lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on long-term lung function trajectories in survivors of preterm birth.
- To identify antenatal, perinatal, and early life factors influencing these lung health trajectories.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article, synthesizing existing research on preterm birth and long-term respiratory outcomes.
- The review focuses on factors impacting lung growth and development from gestation through early childhood.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants experience disruptions to normal lung development due to various factors.
- These disruptions can lead to significant deviations from typical lung function trajectories.
- Specific antenatal, perinatal, and early life factors are implicated in shaping individual lung health outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the factors affecting lung development in preterm infants is crucial for predicting long-term respiratory health.
- Interventions targeting critical early life periods may help optimize lung function trajectories in survivors.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay of factors determining lifelong respiratory health in this population.
Abstract:
Rates of preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation) are increasing worldwide. Improved perinatal care has markedly increased survival of very (<32 weeks gestation) and extremely (<28 weeks gestation) preterm infants, however, long term respiratory sequalae are common among survivors. Importantly, individual's lung function trajectories are determined early in life and tend to track over the life course. Preterm infants are impacted by antenatal, postnatal and early life perturbations to normal lung growth and development, potentially resulting in significant shifts from the "normal" lung function trajectory. This review summarizes what is currently known about the long-term lung function trajectories in survivors of preterm birth. Further, this review highlights how antenatal, perinatal and early life factors are likely to contribute to individual lung health trajectories across the life course.
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