BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA AND VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT - LUNG-FUNCTION AT 11 YEARS OF AGE

Objective: To determine the relationship between lung function at 11 y ears of age and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birthweig ht (VLBW) children. Methodology: This study comprised 154 consecutive surviving VLBW children, divided into three groups with respect to the ir neonatal respiratory morbidity: group I developed BPD; group II req uired assisted ventilation but did not develop BPD; and group III requ ired no assisted ventilation. Lung function tests were measured on 120 /154 (77.9%) children at II years of age. The relationship between var ious lung function variables and neonatal lung disease was analysed by multiple linear regression. Results: Several lung function variables reflecting airflow were significantly diminished in the BPD group (n = 15), and residual volume was significantly higher. Despite poorer lun g function overall, few children in the BPD group had lung function ab normalities in the clinically significant range (n = 2 [13.3%] with a forced expired volume in 1 s < 75% predicted; n = 2 [13.3%] with a for ced vital capacity < 75% predicted; n = 1 [6.7%] with a residual volum e/total lung capacity > 35%). There were no significant differences in lung function variables between group II (n = 41) and group III (n = 64). Changes in lung function tests between 8 and 11 years did not var y significantly between the three groups. Conclusions: VLBW children w ith BPD in the newborn period have poorer lung function at II years of age than other surviving VLBW children without BPD, although few have lung function abnormalities in the clinically significant range.