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Pulmonary function in extremely low birth weight infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia before hospital discharge

Cindy T McEvoy1, Diane Schilling2, Mitzi D Go2

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA. mcevoyc@ohsu.edu.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|October 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Extremely low birth weight infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia show reduced lung function, including smaller lung volumes and decreased respiratory compliance, compared to healthy peers. These findings highlight persistent pulmonary challenges in these vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common complication in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, affecting long-term respiratory health.
  • Pulmonary function deficits in ELBW infants with BPD can persist into the neonatal period.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare pulmonary function in ELBW infants diagnosed with BPD against a control group of healthy infants born at the same gestational age.
  • To investigate potential differences in functional residual capacity (FRC) and respiratory compliance (Crs) between these groups.

Main Methods:

  • Pulmonary function testing was conducted on ELBW infants with BPD at 34-36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA).
  • A reference group of healthy infants born at 34-36 weeks PMA underwent testing within 96 hours of birth.
  • Key parameters measured included FRC, Crs, and respiratory resistance.

Main Results:

  • Infants with BPD exhibited significantly decreased FRC (18.9 vs 26.2 mL/kg) and Crs (0.80 vs 1.29 mL/cm H2O/kg) compared to healthy controls.
  • Increased respiratory resistance was also observed in the BPD group.
  • These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • ELBW infants with BPD demonstrate impaired pulmonary function, characterized by reduced lung volumes and compliance.
  • The findings suggest that BPD leads to smaller lung volumes in affected infants.
  • These results underscore the need for continued respiratory support and monitoring in ELBW infants with BPD.
Abstract

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