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Lung function and pulmonary vascular resistance are not associated in 6‐year‐old children born extremely preterm
Author(s) -
Mohlkert LillyAnn,
Sjöberg Gunnar,
Rydberg Annika,
Pegelow Halvorsen Cecilia,
Tufvesson Ellen,
Hallberg Jenny,
Domellöf Magnus,
Norman Mikael
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.15030
Subject(s) - medicine , vascular resistance , spirometry , cardiology , pulmonary function testing , gestational age , vital capacity , population , lung , blood pressure , asthma , lung function , pregnancy , diffusing capacity , environmental health , biology , genetics
Aim Children born preterm are at increased risk of reduced lung function. The aim was to test whether lung function was associated with pulmonary vascular resistance. Methods Participants were recruited from a population‐based cohort born in 2004‐2007. Lung function was assessed with spirometry after administration of a beta2‐agonist. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ) were determined. Estimations of pulmonary vascular resistance, arterial dimensions, right ventricular wall thickness, sphericity, and systolic (TAPSE) and diastolic functions were performed with echocardiography. Adjusted regression analyses were used to study associations. Results Sixty‐six children (33 boys) born at 22‐26 weeks of gestational age (birthweights 460‐1134 g) were assessed at a mean age of 6.7 years. Despite large variations in lung function with FVC z ‐scores ranging from −4.6 to +2.8, there were no associations between lung function and pulmonary arterial pressure, right ventricular structure or function. Children with higher FVC z ‐scores ( r = .52, β = .55 mm, P = .015) and higher FEV 1 z ‐scores ( r = .58, β = .73 mm, P = .001) exhibited larger pulmonary arteries. Conclusion In children born extremely preterm, lung function was not associated with pulmonary vascular resistance. Routine echocardiographic evaluation of extremely preterm children may not be indicated at age 6.5 years.