Abstract
Introduction
Early term deliveries, which are common in mothers who have elective Caesarean section, are at increased risk of respiratory and other health related problems in the neonatal period compared to full term born children.
Aims
To assess if early term (37-38 weeks) born infants had greater respiratory symptoms in childhood compared to term (≥39 weeks) born children.
Methods
A cross sectional survey of preterm-born children in Wales with matched term-control (N=13361) children was undertaken. Children aged 1-10 years old were sent questionnaires (based on ISAAC) to assess respiratory and general health outcomes with additional data gathered from national health database. Data was analysed for the term controls (early term vs full term) and children <5 or ≥ 5 years of age.
Results
548 early term born children and 2313 term born children were included. Early term-born children had higher rates of admission on the neonatal unit and admission during their first year of life (OR 1.6, p<0.001). 41% of early term born children report 'ever wheezing' vs 33% term born children (OR 1.4, p<0.001) and 15% vs 9.5% report having been diagnosed with a breathing problem such as asthma or recurrent wheeze (OR 1.7, p<0.001). Children <5 years old, born early term reported more wheezing during the day time over the last 3 months than term controls (OR 1.7, p=0.001). Early term-born children aged 5-10 years reported more wheezing episodes over the last 12 months than term controls (OR 1.5, p=0.034).
Conclusion
Early term born children had significantly increased respiratory symptoms when compared to term-born children at both time periods of <5 & ≥5 years of age.
- © 2014 ERS
