Premium
Prematurity is associated with abnormal airway function in childhood
Author(s) -
GaldèsSebaldt Michèle,
Sheller J. R.,
Grogaard Jens,
Stahlman Mildred
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.1950070412
Subject(s) - medicine , airway , birth weight , methacholine , hyaline , pulmonary function testing , lung function , pediatrics , respiratory disease , gastroenterology , surgery , lung , pregnancy , pathology , genetics , biology
Abstract To evaluate the long‐term effect of prematurity and/or hyaline membrane disease (HMD) on pulmonary function and airway reactivity, we studied 49 prematurely born children aged 10 to 13 years. They were divided into three groups according to birth weight and HMD status: Groups I and II comprised the children weighing less than 1,500 g at birth, and Group III those whose birth weight exceeded 1,500 g. Children without HMD at birth were classified as Group I and those with HMD as Group II or III. We performed both pulmonary function tests and methacholine (MCh) challenges and compared the results with those of 27 age‐matched controls born at term. We found that FEV 1 and RV/TLC ratios were significantly different from control values in the groups with birth weights less than 1,500 g, regardless of their HMD status (Groups I and II). In Group I, results for FEF 25–75% , V̇ max50% , and D LCO were lower than those of controls. Airway reactivity was significantly increased in Groups I and II. A 20% drop in FEV 1 after MCh challenge was found in 88%, 62%, 53%, and 36% of children in Groups I, II, and III and controls, respectively, and a 35% drop in SG aw occurred in 87%, 88%, 53%, and 59%. We conclude that prematurity and not HMD per se leads to long‐term pulmonary abnormalities and to an increase in nonspecific airway reactivity. Pediatr Pulmonol 1989; 7:259–264 .