PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Karla M. Logie AU - James T.D. Gibbons AU - Shannon J. Simpson AU - Andrew C. Wilson AU - J. Jane Pillow AU - Graham L. Hall TI - Impaired lung function in children born preterm is related to severity of neonatal lung disease DP - 2011 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - p2012 VI - 38 IP - Suppl 55 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2012.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2012.full SO - Eur Respir J2011 Sep 01; 38 AB - Advances in neonatal care have led to a shift in the pathophysiology of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The impact of contemporaneous preterm birth and BPD on long term respiratory health remains unclear. This study aims to relate mid-childhood respiratory function with neonatal variables in children born ≤32 w gestational age (GA).Methods: Children aged 9 to 11 y (≥ 37 w GA controls, n=37; 84 born ≤32 w gestation including 53 with BPD) performed 4 lung function tests (forced oscillation, static lung volumes, spirometry and gas transfer (DLCO)). Associations between lung function (expressed as Z scores) and neonatal variables (GA, birth weight Z-score and durations of mechanical ventilation (MV) and O2) were explored using multiple linear regression.Results: Children with BPD had increased respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs), reduced FEV1 and FEF25-75 compared to children born preterm without BPD and controls (one-way ANOVA; post-hoc comparisons p<0.04). DLCO was reduced in the BPD group compared to preterm but not healthy children (p<0.05). Static lung volumes were not different between groups. Duration of supplemental O2 was associated with increased Rrs (p<0.005) and reduced DLCO (p=0.01). Duration of MV was associated with increased Xrs (p=0.001) and together with birth weight Z-score (p=0.02), was predictive of reduced FEV1 (p=0.005).Conclusions: Children born ≤32w GA with BPD have worse lung function compared to preterm children without BPD. Impaired lung function in mid-childhood is associated with severity of neonatal lung disease as reflected by duration of MV and supplemental O2, further reinforcing the long–term impacts of preterm birth on lung health.