Preschool Asthma Symptoms in Children Born Preterm: The Relevance of Lung Function in Infancy

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Respiratory Medicine
• Neonatology

Background:

• Preterm birth is associated with increased risk of respiratory issues.
• Early lung function assessment in preterm infants is crucial for predicting future respiratory health.
• Wheezing illnesses in early childhood pose a significant public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if lung function in preterm infants predicts wheezing up to pre-school age.
• To identify specific lung function parameters indicative of future wheezing risk.
• To assess the predictive value of infant lung function for wheezing-related hospitalizations.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study involving preterm infants.
• Administration of the International Study on Asthma and Allergy in Children (ISAAC) wheezing questionnaire to parents.
• Performance of lung function tests at six months corrected age.

Main Results:

• Reduced FEV0.5, FEF75, and FEF25-75 in infancy predicted wheezing later in life.
• Lower FEV0.5/FVC ratios were associated with wheezing in the past year and increased risk of hospitalization due to wheezing.
• Several lung function parameters demonstrated significant predictive value for wheezing development.

Conclusions:

• Limited lung function in infancy is a significant predictor of wheezing in early childhood.
• Infant lung function tests can identify preterm infants at high risk for recurrent wheezing and related hospital admissions.
• Early identification of impaired lung function may allow for timely interventions to mitigate long-term respiratory morbidity.