A study on differences in lung function development and longitudinal patterns between preterm infants of different...

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Respiratory Physiology

Background:

• Gaps exist in understanding small airway function and grouping criteria for extremely preterm infants.
• Gestational age, birth weight, and maternal factors influence infant respiratory outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore baseline differences and longitudinal pulmonary function patterns in preterm versus term infants.
• To clarify the impact of gestational age, birth weight, and other factors on infant lung function.
• To provide evidence for individualized clinical follow-up and intervention strategies.

Main Methods:

• 113 term-equivalent infants were enrolled and categorized by gestational age.
• Lung function parameters (VT, TPEF/TE, TEF50) were collected at corrected 40 weeks, 3, and 6 months.
• Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, linear regression, and linear mixed models (LMM).

Main Results:

• Lower gestational age correlated with reduced tidal volume (VT) and elevated respiratory rate (RR) at baseline.
• Infants <32 weeks showed faster VT growth rates compared to term infants.
• Extremely preterm infants (<32 weeks) exhibited delayed small airway function (TEF50) at 6 months.

Conclusions:

• Preterm infants demonstrate gestational age-dependent compensatory lung function recovery.
• Gestational age, birth weight, and maternal gestational diabetes significantly impact lung function trajectories.
• Individualized 3-monthly small airway function monitoring is recommended for infants <32 weeks gestational age to reduce respiratory disease risk.