Growth rate of lung function in healthy preterm infants.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

It remains unclear whether premature birth, in the absence of neonatal respiratory disease, results in abnormal growth and development of the lung. We previously reported that a group of healthy infants born at 32-34 weeks' gestation and without respiratory complications had decreased forced expiratory flows and normal forced vital capacities at 2 months of age.

Objectives

Our current study evaluated whether these healthy infants born prematurely exhibited improvement or "catch-up" in their lung function during the second year of life.

Methods

Longitudinal measurements of forced expiratory flows by the raised volume rapid thoracic compression technique were obtained in the first and the second years of life for infants born prematurely at 32.7 (range, 30-34)

SUBMITTER: Friedrich L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2176107 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature