Long-term effects of bronchopulmonary dysplasia on lung function: a pilot study in preschool children's cohort.

Although the long term negative effects of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are well known, follow-up studies of preterm infants with BPD into childhood are lacking. Forty-two preschool children (age range 3-6 years) who were born before 32 weeks of gestational age and affected by BPD were enrolled. Pre-, peri-, and post-natal data were collected. During the follow up appointment complete physical examination and lung function (impulse oscillometry (IOS)) were recorded. The European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire was administered to all enrolled subjects. Thirty patients were included in the final analysis. The BPD group did not differ in comparison to the non-BPD group in terms of lung function ( The respiratory function in preschool children born with ELBW is characterized by an increase in impedance and resistance of small airways. No statistically significant differences were found between ELBW children with BPD and without BPD. With regards to the smallest gestational age, the longer duration of O