Premium
Hyperinflation in premature infants at preschool age
Author(s) -
Thompson PJ,
Greenough A
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1992.tb12231.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gestational age , functional residual capacity , pediatrics , bronchopulmonary dysplasia , bronchodilator , premature birth , asthma , pregnancy , lung volumes , genetics , lung , biology
Functional residual capacity was measured by helium gas dilution in 12 children born very preterm (gestational age 25–29 weeks). The children were studied at between 4.0 and 4.6 years of age. Their results were compared to those of 12 control children who were born at term without neonatal problems. The controls were matched to the children born preterm for age, race and gender. The children born preterm had significantly increased functional residual capacity values when compared to the control subjects ( p < 0.01). Eight children born preterm were hyperinflated (functional residual capacity > 120% of that predicted for height) compared to only one control subject ( p <0.01). Five children born preterm and one control had a positive response to bronchodilator administration. These results suggest infants born very preterm may suffer from chronic hyperinflation.