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Interventions to improve lung growth in premature infants

Rachna R Mamidi1, Kelvin D MacDonald2, Eliot R Spindel3

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Missouri, 1021 Hitt St., Columbia, MO 65212, USA.

Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
|December 4, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Strategies to improve lung development in preterm infants are reviewed. Interventions before and after birth, including respiratory support and novel therapies, aim to reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia and enhance long-term respiratory health.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Preterm birth affects 10% of live births globally, leading to altered lung development and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
  • Persistent lung deficits in preterm survivors necessitate improved strategies for pulmonary growth and lifelong respiratory health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review prenatal and postnatal interventions for promoting pulmonary growth in preterm infants.
  • To summarize strategies that reduce morbidity and enhance lung function in premature neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on prenatal and postnatal interventions.
  • Analysis of established and experimental therapies for preterm lung development.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal interventions (maternal health optimization, antenatal corticosteroids) improve fetal lung maturity.
  • Postnatal strategies (CPAP, lung-protective ventilation, nutrition, caffeine) promote alveolar/vascular growth and reduce injury.
  • Emerging therapies (stem cells, IGF-1, artificial placenta) show promise for restoring lung function.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple strategies exist to support preterm infant lung growth and reduce BPD.
  • Continued innovation and longitudinal monitoring are crucial for lifelong respiratory health in preterm survivors.

Keywords:
Bronchopulmonary dysplasiaContinuous positive airway pressureFoetal developmentGrowth & developmentInfantPrematureRespiratory function testsSpirometryVentilation

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