Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2025
Intratracheal Instillation of Stem Cells in Term Neonatal Rats
Published on: May 4, 2020
Lung Function in a Multiethnic U.S. Cohort of Adolescents and Adults Born Preterm in the New BPD Era
Nataly J Sanchez-Solano1, Tyler J Wall1,2, Gregory P Barton2
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, USA.
Insights
Extreme preterm birth can lead to long-term lung function issues, including breathing defects and reduced respiratory strength. These pulmonary deficits are common in adults born prematurely, especially in certain racial groups.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Extreme preterm birth is a known risk factor for lifelong reduced pulmonary function.
- Limited data exist on long-term lung function in U.S.-born adults and multiethnic populations born prematurely.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate lung function in adolescents and young adults born prematurely.
- To assess the impact of neonatal, racial/ethnic, and socioeconomic factors on long-term lung function in this population.
Main Methods:
- Recruited preterm and term-born participants aged 12-40 years.
- Conducted comprehensive pulmonary function testing (spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion capacity, respiratory muscle forces).
- Utilized Global Lung Initiative race-neutral reference equations and assessed risk factor influences.
Main Results:
- Preterm-born individuals were significantly more likely to have ventilatory defects, reduced diffusion capacity, and impaired respiratory muscle strength compared to term-born individuals.
- Neonatal risk factors like bronchopulmonary dysplasia and lower weight for gestational age were associated with worse outcomes.
- Preterm-born Non-Hispanic Black participants exhibited poorer lung function than preterm-born Hispanic White participants, independent of known factors.
Conclusions:
- While many moderately to extremely preterm-born individuals maintain normal lung function, significant proportions experience common pulmonary deficits.
- Obstructive and restrictive ventilatory defects, reduced diffusion capacity, and impaired respiratory muscle strength are prevalent findings.
- Further research is needed to understand disparities in lung function among preterm-born populations.
Rationale:
Extreme preterm birth is a recognized risk factor for reduced pulmonary function over the lifespan. However, data are lacking in U.S.-born adults and in multiethnic populations.
Objective:
To comprehensively evaluate lung function in adolescents and young adults born premature, and to assess for potential impact of neonatal, racial/ethnic, and socioeconomic risk factors on long-term lung function.
Methods:
Preterm participants aged 12-40 years of age were recruited from the Parkland Hospital Neonatal ICU Registry (Dallas County, Texas). Preterm and term-born participants completed pulmonary function testing including spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion capacity, and respiratory muscle forces, using Global Lung Initiative race-neutral reference equations. Influence of racial/ethnic background, neonatal factors, and socioeconomic ratings were assessed for preterm participants.
Results:
Preterm participants (n = 105; gestational age 29.5 ± 2.5 weeks; current age 26 ± 6 yrs) were significantly more likely than term participants (n = 48; gestational age 39.2 ± 1.1 weeks; current age 29 ± 7 yrs) to have an obstructive or restrictive ventilatory defect (34.4% vs 14.6%, OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.26-7.93), reduced diffusion capacity (16.4% vs 2.1%, OR 9.18, 95% CI 1.47-98.3), and impaired respiratory muscle strength (27.7% vs 4.4%, OR 8.22, 95% CI 2.10-36.2). Neonatal risk factors included history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and lower weight for gestational age percentile. Lung function was worse in preterm-born Non-Hispanic Black participants compared to preterm-born Hispanic White participants, which could not be explained by available neonatal or socioeconomic factors.
Conclusion:
While most moderately to extremely preterm-born individuals have normal lung function, obstructive and restrictive ventilatory defects, reduced diffusion capacity, and impaired respiratory muscle strength are common.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
01:17Other Pulmonary Disorders
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...