[Pulmonary function tests as a predictor of chronic lung disease in ventilated preterm infants].
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to determine if the value of respiratory system compliance and lung resistance could be a good predictor of chronic lung disease (CLD) in an early stage of this disease.


METHODS
The study was carried out on 48 preterms infant (BW < 1500 g) who were ventilated for respiratory distress, calculating pulmonary mechanics at 3, 5, 7 and 10 days of life with a standardized protocol of measurements.


RESULTS
Infants who did not develop CLD showed higher values of respiratory system dynamic compliance (Crsdyn) than the CLD group since the 5th day of life (p < 0.001). The values of lung resistance show a statistical significant difference between groups since the 7th day of life.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that, with a well standardized method of measurements, the value of Crsdyn can well be a good predictor and a sensible prognostic factors for CLD.
Tortorolo
L
L
Cattedra di Neonatologia, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Roma.
Vento
G
G
Zecca
E
E
Romagnoli
C
C
D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods*
Le prove di funzionalità respiratoria nella predittività della patologia polmonare cronica del neonato pretermine in ventilazione meccanica.