Distinct lung function and bronchodilator responses between term and preterm young children with recurrent wheezing

Recurrent or unresolved wheezing is a common complaint in certain young children populations, especially those born preterm. Using infant lung function testing, we aimed to distinguish the differences between term and preterm young children with recurrent wheezing.

Children under 2 years of corrected age were enrolled if they had 3 or more wheezing episodes during the enrollment period. Healthy term controls of comparable age were also recruited for reference. Measurements of lung function were made, including tidal breathing, passive respiratory mechanics, and forced tidal and raised-volume expiration. For children with recurrent wheezing, raised-volume forced expiration was repeated after an adequate delivery of bronchodilator nebulization was achieved.

In total, 68 young children (40 with recurrent wheezing and 28 healthy controls) were recruited. Among children with recurrent wheezing, 23 preterm children (preterm group), and 17 term children (term group) were enrolled. Compared with healthy controls, both the term and preterm groups had lower lung function as measured by absolute values and z scores. The term group performed worse than the preterm group with regard to forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at 0.5 s (FEV_0.5), and peak expiratory flow. Following bronchodilator nebulization, the term group had significantly higher increases in FEV_0.5 and forced mid-expiratory flow than the preterm group.

Young children with recurrent wheezing, especially term infants, demonstrated lower lung function than healthy controls. Moreover, the term group evidenced greater responsiveness to bronchodilators than the preterm group. The distinct bronchodilator responses may offer further information to guide the diagnosis and treatment of young children with recurrent wheezing.