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Lung mechanics and respiratory morbidities in school-age children born moderate-to-late preterm

Fabianne M N A Dantas1,2, Paulo A F Magalhães3,4,5, Emilly C N Hora6

  • 1Research Group of Neonatal and Pediatric Physical Therapy, Baby GrUPE, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil. fabianne.assis@upe.br.

Pediatric Research
|May 9, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children born moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT) show similar lung function to those born at term. This suggests significant pulmonary plasticity continues into school age, potentially normalizing early respiratory risks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Late and moderate prematurity (MLPT) is linked to childhood pulmonary function deficits.
  • Previous studies suggest airway function normalization in adolescents and adults born MLPT.
  • Limited data exists on lung mechanics in school-aged children born MLPT.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate lung mechanics in school-age children born moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT).
  • To compare lung function parameters between MLPT children and term-born controls.
  • To assess bronchodilator response and respiratory morbidities in these groups.

Main Methods:

  • Case-control study involving 123 children aged 5-10 years (52 MLPT, 71 term-born).
  • Lung function assessed using impulse oscillometry (IOS) for parameters like R5, R20, and Fres.
  • Respiratory morbidities evaluated via a structured questionnaire; bronchodilator response measured.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed in baseline IOS variables between MLPT and term-born children.
  • Specific IOS parameters (R5, R20, R5-R20, X5, Fres, AX) showed no statistically significant group variations.
  • Bronchodilator response and post-natal respiratory morbidity rates were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions:

  • Lung mechanics parameters are similar in school-age children born MLPT compared to term-born children.
  • Findings suggest ongoing pulmonary plasticity in children up to school age.
  • This indicates potential catch-up lung development in MLPT individuals.
Abstract

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