Broughton, S., Thomas, M.R., Marston, L., Calvert, S.A., Marlow, N., Peacock, J. L., Rafferty, G. & Greenough, A.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether abnormalities of lung volume and/or airway function were associated with wheeze at follow up in infants born very prematurely, to identify risk factors for wheeze. Lung function data obtained at 1 year of age collated from two cohorts yielded 111 patients with a mean gestational age of 26.3 SD 1.6 weeks.
Using the data including lung function measurements as corrected by gestational age, diary cards and respiratory questionnaires were completed to document wheeze. Outcome measures were functional residual capacity, airways resistance and tidal breathing patterns.
The 60 infants who wheezed at follow up had significantly lower residual capacity and tidal breathing patterns, but higher mean airways resistance than 51 without. Significantly associated with wheeze were gestational age, length at assessment, family history at atopy. Concluding that wheeze is associated with gas trapping, suggesting abnormalities of the airways.
Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2007. (92) 776-780