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Development of Lung Function in Preterm Infants During the First Two Years of Life

Inés de-Mir-Messa1, Olaia Sardón-Prado2, Manuel Sánchez-Solis3

  • 1Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Section, Department of Paediatrics, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Growth and Development Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain.

Archivos De Bronconeumologia
|March 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Healthy preterm infants show catch-up lung function by 18 months corrected age, with initial lower forced expiratory flows resolving compared to term infants. This suggests improved airway development post-prematurity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Neonatal Lung Development
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Prematurity's impact on post-delivery lung development, particularly bronchial size, remains unclear.
  • Assessing lung function in preterm infants is crucial for understanding long-term respiratory health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate lung function in healthy preterm infants during the first two years of life.
  • To compare lung function measurements in preterm infants with those of healthy term infants.

Main Methods:

  • Observational longitudinal study of 74 preterm and 76 term infants.
  • Lung function assessed at 6 and 18 months corrected age using tidal breathing, passive respiratory mechanics, and forced expirations (V'maxFRC, FEF25-75).
  • Measurements followed ATS/ERS recommendations with chloral hydrate sedation.

Main Results:

  • At 6 months, preterm infants exhibited lower respiratory compliance and V'maxFRC compared to term controls.
  • By 18 months corrected age, preterm infants demonstrated catch-up in tidal volume, respiratory mechanics, FEV0.5, and forced expiratory flows.
  • Initial differences in lung function between preterm and term infants diminished over time.

Conclusions:

  • Lower forced expiratory flows in healthy preterm infants at 6 months resolved by 18 months corrected age.
  • Findings suggest a catch-up in airway function development in preterm infants.
  • Prematurity may not lead to persistent deficits in lung function by early childhood.
Abstract

Keywords:
Desarrollo pulmonarFunción pulmonarInfantsLactantesLactantes nacidos a términoLactantes pretérminoLung developmentLung functionPrematuridadPrematurityPreterm infantsTerm infants

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