Risks for common medical conditions experienced by former preterm infants during toddler years.
OBJECTIVE
To identify associations between reactive airway disease (RAD), eczema, and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and antenatal/neonatal variables.


METHODS
This is a retrospective observational cohort analysis of former preterm (PT) infants evaluated at the Regional Neonatal Follow-up Program in the Lower Hudson Valley Region of New York. Subjects <2 years evaluated between January 2005 and December 2007 were included. Patient demographics, antenatal factors and co-morbidities of prematurity were correlated with each medical condition.


RESULTS
A total of 727 subjects were analyzed: 12.8% had RAD, 10.5% had eczema; and 26.7% had GERD. RAD and GERD correlated inversely with gestational age. RAD was more prevalent in singletons and African Americans; GERD in Caucasians; and eczema in singletons and males. Respiratory disease in the newborn period increased the incidence of RAD and GERD. Toddlers who had RAD were likely to have eczema or GERD; no association between GERD and eczema existed.


CONCLUSIONS
These three medical conditions were strongly associated. Their association may be the result of a common element developing each condition, or due to one condition exacerbating another. Respiratory problems in the newborn were strong predictors of GERD and RAD.
Kase
Jordan S
JS
The Division of Newborn Medicine, The Department of Pediatrics, NYMC, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA. jordan_kase@nymc.edu
Pici
Maria
M
Visintainer
Paul
P
D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D044383:Black People; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D009099:Multiple Birth Offspring; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American