Respiratory morbidity, lung function and fitness assessment after bronchopulmonary dysplasia

OBJECTIVE: To examine respiratory morbidity and exercise capacity at school age in children after bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). STUDY DESIGN: Former preterm children after BPD (n = 23), without BPD (n = 33) and term controls (n = 33) were compared using respiratory health questionnaire, spirometry and six-minute walk test (6MWT). RESULT: Wheezing was more frequent in BPD group (61%) vs non-BPD group (24%; P < 0.001) and controls (15%; P < 0.001) in the first year of life and until a year before inclusion. The children after BPD had lower mean value (P < 0.001) for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (75.3%) vs non-BPD (89.8%) and controls (91.1%). Six-minute walking distance was lower after BPD by 58.3 m compared with non-BPD group (P = 0.002) and by 53.7 m compared with controls (P = 0.005). After adjusting for confounding factors the difference was not significant anymore. CONCLUSION: More frequent wheezing and reduced lung function persist into school age after BPD.