RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Functional evidence for continued alveolarisation in former preterms at school age? JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 147 OP 155 DO 10.1183/13993003.00478-2015 VO 47 IS 1 A1 Sophie Yammine A1 Anne Schmidt A1 Oliver Sutter A1 Sotirios Fouzas A1 Florian Singer A1 Urs Frey A1 Philipp Latzin YR 2016 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/47/1/147.abstract AB Prematurity is the most common disruptor of lung development. The aim of our study was to examine the function of the more vulnerable peripheral airways in former preterm children by multiple-breath washout (MBW) measurements.86 school-aged children, born between 24 and 35 weeks of gestation and 49 term-born children performed nitrogen MBW. Lung clearance index (LCI), and slope III-derived Scond and Sacin were assessed as markers for global, convection-dependent and diffusion–convection-dependent ventilation inhomogeneity, respectively.We analysed the data of 77 former preterm (mean (range) age 9.5 (7.2–12.8) years) and 46 term-born children (mean age 9.9 (6.0–15.9) years). LCI and Sacin did not differ between preterm and term-born children. Scond was significantly elevated in preterm compared to term-born participants (mean difference z-score 1.74, 95% CI 1.17–2.30; p<0.001), with 54% of former preterm children showing elevated Scond. In multivariable regression analysis Scond was significantly related only to gestational age (R2=0.37).Normal Sacin provides evidence for a functionally normal alveolar compartment, while elevated Scond indicates impaired function of more proximal conducting airways. Together, our findings support the concept of continued alveolarisation, albeit with “dysanaptic” lung growth in former preterm children.Evidence for a prematurity-related dysanaptic lung growth in former preterm children http://ow.ly/RUXUl