Preterm Births and Lung Function Deficits- Linked in Middle Age?

A recent study in Respiratory Medicine investigated the effect of prematurity on lung function into middle-age. Study found that very-to-moderate prematurity is associated with obstructive lung function deficits including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease well into the sixth decade of life and that this effect is advanced by personal smoking.

Data were analysed from 1445 participants where the lung function was measured at 53 years of age. Gestational ages were very preterm, moderate preterm, late preterm and term.

Of 3565, 41% participants were included in this study. Compared with term birth, very to moderate preterm birth was significantly associated with an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The association between very-to-moderate preterm birth and forced vital capacity ratio was only significant among smokers. Compared with term birth, late preterm birth was not associated with lower forced vital capacity ratio or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Therefore, the researchers concluded that very-to-moderate prematurity is associated with obstructive lung function deficits including COPD well into the sixth decade of life and that this effect is compounded by personal smoking.