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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Asthma prevalence, lung and cardiovascular function in adolescents born preterm
Maria Arroyas1,2, Cristina Calvo3,4,5,6, Santiago Rueda7
1Pediatrics Department, Severo Ochoa University Hospital, Avenida Orellana S/N. Leganes, 28911, Madrid, Spain. mariarroyas@hotmail.com.
Preterm adolescents born before 32 weeks require more respiratory care and have poorer heart function. Intrauterine growth restriction also negatively impacts lung function in preterm children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Preterm birth impacts long-term respiratory and cardiac health.
- The post-surfactant era has improved survival but long-term outcomes require study.
- Adolescent outcomes for very preterm and moderately-late preterm infants need comparison.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate respiratory and cardiac function in adolescents born preterm.
- To compare outcomes between very preterm (<32 weeks) and moderately-late preterm (≥32 weeks) adolescents.
- To identify risk factors such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) for adverse outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Observational cross-sectional study design.
- Inclusion of 148 adolescents (74 per group: very preterm vs. moderately-late preterm).
- Assessment of respiratory symptoms, spirometry, and functional echocardiography.
Main Results:
- Very preterm adolescents had higher rates of respiratory admissions and current asthma.
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was associated with lower FEV1 and FVC.
- Both ventricles showed impaired diastolic and global function in very preterm adolescents, with IUGR exacerbating these issues.
Conclusions:
- Gestational age <32 weeks is an independent risk factor for current asthma in adolescence.
- Very preterm adolescents exhibit poorer respiratory and cardiac function, including diastolic dysfunction.
- IUGR is a significant risk factor for reduced lung function in preterm adolescents, irrespective of gestational age.
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