Differential effects of immaturity and neonatal lung disease on the lung function of very low birth weight infants at 48-52 postconceptional weeks.
Schmalisch, Gerd PhD 1; Wilitzki, Silke 1; Roehr, Charles C. MD 1; Proquitte, Hans MD 1; Buhrer, Christoph MD 1
[Article] Pediatric Pulmonology. 48(12):1214-1223, December 2013.

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Background: The pathogenesis of chronic lung disease of prematurity involves maturational arrest and neonatal lung disease (NLD) followed by mechanical ventilation (MV). However, the effect of these factors on postnatal lung function is not well established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the differential effects of immaturity and NLD requiring MV on lung function test (LFT) parameters within 4 months after discharge.

Patients and Methods: A total of 386 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight <1,500 g) were examined at a median postmenstrual age of 49 weeks. Two hundred twenty-six infants (59%) were born before the 28th week of gestation, and 247 infants (64%) had NLD requiring invasive MV. LFTs included tidal breathing measurements, measurement of respiratory mechanics assessed by occlusion test, body plethysmography, SF6 multiple breath washout, forced expiratory flow ( Symbol) by rapid thoraco-abdominal compression technique, end-expiratory CO2 (PetCO2), exhaled NO (FeNO), and arterialized capillary blood gas analysis.

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