Trajectories of prematurity-associated lung disease: lifelong lung health

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Neonatology
• Pediatric Respiratory Health

Background:

• Preterm birth is a growing concern, with increasing evidence linking it to long-term adverse effects on lung function throughout life.
• Individuals born prematurely often exhibit altered lung function trajectories from infancy, potentially leading to future respiratory morbidity.
• Current understanding of prematurity-associated lung disease needs refinement beyond bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review longitudinal lung function data in individuals born preterm.
• To identify risk factors and precise phenotypes associated with poor lung function trajectories in this population.
• To emphasize the need for lifelong monitoring and potential interventions for prematurity-associated lung disease.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies reporting longitudinal lung function measurements in preterm-born individuals.
• Analysis of evidence to understand altered lung function trajectories from early life.
• Proposal for rigorous follow-up including systematic lung function monitoring across the lifespan.

Main Results:

• Preterm birth alters lung function trajectories early in life, with lasting implications for respiratory health.
• There is a need to precisely define phenotypes of preterm individuals at risk for poor lung function.
• Data-driven analytics and collaborative studies are essential for robust phenotyping and trajectory definition.

Conclusions:

• Individuals born preterm require lifelong, systematic lung function monitoring starting in childhood.
• Further research is needed to understand risk factors and establish precise phenotypes for prematurity-associated lung disease.
• Interventional studies are necessary to determine if adverse lung function trajectories can be improved, reducing the risk of early chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.