Pediatr Pulmonol. 2026 Feb;61(2):e71492. doi: 10.1002/ppul.71492.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is one of the most common complications of preterm birth and has lifelong repercussions in respiratory health.
OBJECTIVE: To examine lung function and exercise capacity and assess potential differences in exertional respiratory pattern and ventilatory and gas exchange responses in school-aged children with a history of prematurity and/or BPD.
METHODS: Prospective observational study including children and adolescents born preterm, with and without BPD, and healthy term-born controls without a known history of asthma. Participants performed spirometry and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
RESULTS: Eighty-two children aged 6-18 years (mean: 11.9 years, SD: 3.1) were enrolled and examined in three groups: preterm-born with BPD (gestational age < 32 weeks), preterm-born without BPD (GA < 37 weeks), and term-born controls (GA ≥ 37 weeks). FVC, FEV1, FEF25% -75%, and FEV1/FVC were normal and comparable among the three groups. V̇O2peak% was reduced in the BPD group and was significantly lower than the control group (mean difference: -14.4, CI: -28 to -0.7, adjusted p = 0.04), but the difference was not significant when adjusting for height. The BPD group had the highest mean VE/VCO2 adjusted for height (32.7), followed by the preterm (30.3) and the control group (29.5), and the difference between the BPD and control group was statistically significant (p = 0.015). Moreover, BPD status was significantly associated with increased VE/VCO2 (β = +3.2, CI: 1-5.4, p = 0.005). The rest of the CPET parameters were within normal limits and comparable among groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Children with BPD have normal lung function but reduced exercise capacity and decreased ventilatory efficiency during exercise.
PMID:41657058 | DOI:10.1002/ppul.71492
