Lung function in adults born with very low birth weight from young to mid-adulthood.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Young adults born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g), especially those who had neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), have reduced lung function compared with their term-born peers. We hypothesized that these impairments worsen between young and mid-adulthood.

Methods

We studied two birth cohorts: HeSVA (Finland) and NTNU LBW Life (Norway) with harmonized protocols. Lung function was assessed by spirometry in 115 VLBW (20 with BPD) and 142 controls at mean 36 years. The results were compared with young adulthood (22 years) spirometry in 198 VLBW (32 with BPD) and 225 control participants.

Results

In mid-adulthood, BPD-VLBW adults had lower z-scores in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (zFEV1; mean difference -1.49; 95%CI -1.94, -1.04) and in zFEV1/FVC (FVC: forced vital capacity; mean difference -0.84, 95%CI -1.23, -0.44) than controls. Corresponding differences for non-BPD-VLBW adults were -0.34 (95%CI -0.60, -0.08) and -0.30 (95%CI -0.53, -0.07). The differences in zFVC and zFEV1 between BPD-VLBW and control groups increased from young to mid-adulthood.

Conclusion

In mid-adulthood, adults born preterm with VLBW had reduced airflow compared with term-born controls. These differences were more pronounced among those with a history of BPD, whose vital capacity also seems to decline faster.

Impact

Impaired airflow and reduced vital capacity in VLBW adults do not improve with age. Among those with a history of BPD, vital capacity seems to reduce faster than among their term-born peers. Clinicians who see adults born preterm with VLBW should be vigilant for respiratory symptoms. We argue that a full medical history in all adults who present with respiratory symptoms should routinely include key birth characteristics such as preterm birth.

SUBMITTER: Jussinniemi L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12920113 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature