RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A pilot study of respiratory and nutritional outcomes of moderate/late preterm birth
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP PA4155
DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.PA4155
VO 46
IS suppl 59
A1 Katharine C. Pike
A1 Philippa Crowley
A1 Jessica Taylor
A1 Michael P.W. Grocott
A1 Sandy Jack
A1 Alan Jackson
A1 Alison Leaf
A1 Jane S.A. Lucas
YR 2015
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA4155.abstract
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.