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Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs
Published on: October 31, 2025
Management of prematurity-associated lung disease from infancy through to adulthood
Liesbeth Duijts1, Petra Um Bergström2, Sarah J Kotecha3
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care, Division of Neonatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Insights
Prematurity-associated lung disease (PLD) requires comprehensive management, including prevention, targeted treatments, and monitoring. Addressing both lung and non-lung issues is crucial for lifelong health in affected individuals.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Preterm birth leads to long-term lung problems, including prematurity-associated lung disease (PLD).
- PLD significantly impacts individuals throughout their lives, necessitating ongoing medical attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current evidence on the treatment and monitoring of PLD and its various phenotypes.
- To highlight emerging preventive strategies and pharmacological interventions for PLD.
- To emphasize the importance of managing extrapulmonary complications associated with PLD.
Main Methods:
- Review of current evidence on PLD treatment and monitoring.
- Discussion of preventive strategies like vaccination.
- Exploration of pharmacological treatments and their phenotype-specific responses.
- Consideration of extrapulmonary comorbidities and environmental factors.
- Evaluation of monitoring tools and follow-up recommendations.
- Identification of opportunities for drug repurposing and new therapy development.
Main Results:
- Preventive strategies, such as maternal and infant vaccination, are key interventions.
- Inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators show potential benefits in childhood PLD.
- Management must encompass extrapulmonary conditions like cardiovascular issues and neurodevelopmental disabilities.
- Structured follow-up from infancy to adulthood is recommended for comprehensive care.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of prematurity-associated lung disease (PLD) requires a multifaceted approach.
- Early identification, tailored treatments, and long-term monitoring are essential for improving outcomes.
- Further research into phenotype-specific treatments and novel therapies is warranted for PLD patients.
Abstract:
Preterm birth has lifelong pulmonary consequences, with many individuals developing prematurity-associated lung disease (PLD). This third paper in the prematurity-associated lung disease Series summarises current evidence for treatment and monitoring of PLD and its phenotypes. Preventive strategies, including maternal and infant vaccination to reduce early life viral exposures, are emerging as key interventions. Pharmacological approaches, such as inhaled corticosteroids, alone or combined with long-acting bronchodilators, show potential benefits in childhood, although there is currently little evidence on phenotype-specific responses. Management should also address extrapulmonary traits, including central airway abnormalities, cardiovascular sequelae, gastro-oesophageal reflux, impaired growth, neurodevelopmental disabilities, reduced physical exercise capacity, and environmental exposures. We discuss monitoring tools for early identification and longitudinal assessment of PLD, evaluation of treatment response, and recommendations for structured follow-up from infancy into adulthood, suitable for both general and specialist respiratory clinicians. Finally, opportunities for repurposing existing drugs and developing new therapies for PLD in children and adults are highlighted.
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