Regional ventilation inhomogeneity in survivors of extremely preterm birth

Abstract

Introduction Survivors of extreme prematurity may have disrupted lung development. We hypothesized that the multiple breath washout (MBW) index Scond, which is intended to reflect ventilation inhomogeneity from the conducting airways, could be a sensitive marker of respiratory impairment in this group. Methods Spirometry, TLco, and MBW were cross-sectionally evaluated at 8 to 14 years of age in children born at 1 z-score (29% vs 14%, P = .06). At multivariable linear regression, in the preterm group, current asthma was significantly associated with a higher Scond (B = 0.019, 95% confidence interval, 0.000-0.038), whereas BPD was not. Conclusion Almost a third of extremely preterm children at school age showed Scond alterations that affected also children without BPD. Longitudinal studies should clarify the prognostic meaning of Scond abnormalities in this group.