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Lung function deficits and bronchodilator reversibility at 12 years of age in children born very preterm compared with controls born at term
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  • Ellen Tufvesson,
  • Cecilia Hagman,
  • Lars Bjorklund,
  • Leif Bjermer,
  • Ingrid Hansen-Pupp
Ellen Tufvesson
Lunds universitet Lungmedicin och Allergologi

Corresponding Author:ellen.tufvesson@med.lu.se

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Cecilia Hagman
Skanes universitetssjukhus Lund
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Lars Bjorklund
Skanes universitetssjukhus Lund
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Leif Bjermer
Lunds universitet Lungmedicin och Allergologi
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Ingrid Hansen-Pupp
Skanes universitetssjukhus Lund
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Abstract

Introduction Very preterm birth is associated with lung function impairment later in life, but several aspects have not been studied. We aimed to comprehensively assess lung function at school age in very preterm infants and term controls, with special emphasis on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), sex and bronchodilator response. Methods At 12 years of age, 136 children born very preterm (85 with and 51 without BPD), and 56 children born at term performed spirometry, body plethysmography, impulse oscillometry, measurement of diffusion capacity and multiple breath washout, before and after bronchodilator inhalation. Results Airway symptoms and a diagnosis of asthma were more common in children born very preterm. These children had more airflow limitation, seen as lower FEV 1 (p<0.001), FEV 1/FVC (p=0.011) and FEF 25-75 (p<0.001), and a higher total and peripheral airway resistance compared to term born controls. There was no difference in total lung capacity, but air trapping and lung clearance index were higher in children born very preterm. Diffusion capacity was lower in children born very preterm, especially in those with a diagnosis of BPD. In most other tests, the differences between preterm-born children with or without BPD were smaller than between children born preterm versus at term. Boys born preterm had more lung function deficits than preterm born girls. In children born very preterm, airway obstruction was to a large extent reversible. Conclusion At 12 years of age, children born very preterm had lower lung function than children born at term in most aspects. Airway obstruction improved markedly after bronchodilator inhalation, and there was only little difference between children with or without BPD.
15 Dec 2022Submitted to Pediatric Pulmonology
15 Dec 2022Submission Checks Completed
15 Dec 2022Assigned to Editor
15 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Dec 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
26 Jan 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
28 Apr 20231st Revision Received
28 Apr 2023Submission Checks Completed
28 Apr 2023Assigned to Editor
28 Apr 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Apr 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 Jun 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
19 Jun 20232nd Revision Received
19 Jun 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Jun 2023Submission Checks Completed
19 Jun 2023Assigned to Editor
19 Jun 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Aug 2023Editorial Decision: Accept