PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Katharine C. Pike
AU  - Philippa Crowley
AU  - Jessica Taylor
AU  - Michael P.W. Grocott
AU  - Sandy Jack
AU  - Alan Jackson
AU  - Alison Leaf
AU  - Jane S.A. Lucas
TI  - A pilot study of respiratory and nutritional outcomes of moderate/late preterm birth
AID  - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.PA4155
DP  - 2015 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - PA4155
VI  - 46
IP  - suppl 59
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA4155.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA4155.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2015 Sep 01; 46
AB  - Background: Moderate/late preterm birth interrupts a period of rapid lung growth and is associated with pre- and postnatal growth restriction. It is unknown whether moderate/late prematurity impairs lung function from soon after birth.Aim & objective: To pilot infant lung function testing and anthropometric assessment as means to assess relationships between moderate/late prematurity, growth and respiratory development.Method: Infants born 32+0-36+6 weeks' gestation were recruited over 12 months from the Princess Anne Hospital. Tidal breathing, passive mechanics and forced expiratory flows were measured at 8-12 weeks' corrected age. Weight, length and head circumference were recorded at birth and at testing, when skinfolds were also measured. Lung function was expressed using gender, length and age-adjusted z-scores for comparison with reference values.Results: Approximately 220 infants delivered 32+0-36+6 weeks',15 were consented and 12 tested. There were no study-related adverse events. Mean, SEM z-scores were: time to peak expiratory flow/expiratory time (tptef:te) -0.02, 0.17; respiratory system compliance (Crs) -0.22, 0.53; maximal expiratory flow at function residual capacity (V'maxFRC) -1.10, 0.19; forced expiratory flow in first 0.5 s of expiration (FEV0.5) -0.95, 1.06; and respiratory system resistance (Rrs) 0.63, 0.42. V'maxFRC was positively associated with gestation p=0.055. The sample was too small to assess associations between anthropometry and lung function.Conclusion: Lung function can be tested soon after birth in moderate/late preterms. Power is low but reduced FEV0.5,V'maxFRC, Crs and tptef:te, and increased Rrs suggest expiratory airflow limitation in these infants.