Forced expiratory flows and diffusion capacity in infants born from mothers with pre-eclampsia

Rationale Animal models suggest pre-eclampsia (Pre-E) affects alveolar development, but data from humans are lacking. Objective Assess the impact of Pre-E on airway function, diffusion capacity, and respiratory morbidity in preterm and term infants born from mothers with Pre-E. Methods Infants born from mothers with and without Pre-E were recruited for this study; term and preterm infants were included in both cohorts. Respiratory morbidity in the first 12 months of life was assessed through monthly phone surveys. Raised volume rapid thoracoabdominal compression and measurement of diffusion capacity of the lung to carbon monoxide (DLCO) were performed at 6 months corrected age. Measurements and Main Results There were 146 infants in the Pre-E cohort and 143 in the control cohort. The Pre-E cohort was further divided into nonsevere (N = 41) and severe (N = 105) groups. There was no significant difference in DLCO and DLCO/alveolar volume among the three groups. Forced vital capacity was similar among the three groups, but the nonsevere Pre-E group had significantly higher forced expiratory flows than the other two groups. After adjusting for multiple covariates including prematurity, the severe Pre-E group had a lower risk for wheezing in the first year of life compared to the other two groups. Conclusions Pre-E is not associated with reduced DLCO, lower forced expiratory flows, or increased wheezing in the first year of life. These results differ from animal models and highlight the complex relationships between Pre-E and lung function and respiratory morbidity in human infants.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess the impact of pre-eclampsia (Pre-E) on airway function, diffusion capacity, and respiratory morbidity in infants born from mothers with Pre-E. The results showed that Pre-E did not affect lung function and the risk of respiratory morbidity. These findings contradict animal models and highlight the complex relationships between Pre-E and lung function and respiratory morbidity in human infants.