Respiratory function and symptoms in young preterm children in the contemporary era

Summary Objective To determine the relationships between respiratory symptoms, lung function, and neonatal events in young preterm children. Methods Preterm children (<32 w gestation), classified as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or non‐BPD, and healthy term controls were studied. Lung function was measured by forced oscillation technique (respiratory resistance [Rrs] and reactance [Xrs]) and spirometry. Respiratory symptom questionnaires were administered. Results One hundred and fifty children (74 BPD, 44 non‐BPD, 32 controls) 4–8 years were studied. Lung function (median Z‐score [10,90th centile]) was significantly impaired in preterm children compared to controls for FVC (0.00 [−1.18, 1.76], 0.69 [−0.17,1.86]), FEV 1 (−0.44 [−1.94, 1.11], 0.49 [−0.83, 2.51]), Xrs (−1.26 [−3.31, 0.11], −0.11 [−0.97, 0.73]), and Rrs (0.55 [−0.48, 1.82], 0.28 [−0.99, 0.96]). Only Xrs differed between the BPD and non‐BPD (−1.51 [−3.59, −0.41], −0.89 [−2.64, 0.52]). The prevalence of recent respiratory symptoms (range: 32–36%) did not differ between BPD and non‐BPD children. Supplemental O 2 in hospital was positively associated with worsening Xrs and FEV 1 . Conclusion Preterm children have worse lung function than healthy controls. Only respiratory reactance differentiated between preterm children with and without BPD and was influenced by days of O 2 in hospital. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1347–1355. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.