Impact of intrauterine growth restriction on preterm lung disease

Aim Intrauterine growth restriction ( IUGR ) is an important cause for prematurity and adversely influences prematurity‐related morbidities. This study evaluates the impact of IUGR on respiratory outcomes in infants <32 weeks with IUGR and birthweight <10th centile ( SGA ) compared to matched appropriate for gestation ( AGA ) controls. Methods The primary outcomes of this retrospective study are short‐term pulmonary outcomes of chronic lung disease ( CLD ), CLD or death, and need for home oxygen at discharge. Subgroup analysis by gestation‐based stratification (<28 and ≥28 <32 weeks) was decided a priori . Results Total of 153 IUGR and 306 non‐ IUGR infants were enrolled. The rate of CLD (45% vs. 17%, p = 0.0001), death (16% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.0001), CLD or death (46% vs. 21.5%, p = 0.0001), home oxygen rates (13.7% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.01) and duration of respiratory support was significantly higher in the IUGR group. IUGR emerged as the strongest predictor of CLD (adjusted OR , 95% CI : (8.4 [2, 35]) and CLD or death (12.7 [3, 54]) across all gestation. Conclusion IUGR is a major risk factor for adverse short‐term pulmonary outcomes as reflected by higher rates of CLD , CLD or death, and oxygen dependency at discharge in preterm infants.