title: Inflammatory markers in induced sputum of school children born before 32 completed weeks of gestation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test whether chronic bronchial inflammation may be a contributing risk factor for persistent airflow limitation in children born before 32 weeks of gestation in later life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six of 160 children born before 32 completed weeks of gestation who were born between 1988 and 1992 were recruited at a median age of 11 years. Eighteen age-matched children born at term were controls; 47% of the premature infants and 61% of the term born children produced sputum of sufficient quality for interleukin (IL)-8, cell numbers, and differential counts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with term born children, sputum from the premature group had a higher proportion of neutrophils (62% vs 3.8%; P < .001) and higher IL-8/protein values (1.93 μg/g vs 0.64 μg/g; P = .008). Forced expiratory flow 25%-75% and forced expiratory volume in 1 second/vital capacity were significantly lower (73.4 % vs 116% predicted, P = .002 and 97% vs 101%, P = .012, respectively). Lung function values and sputum indices did not correlate. IL-8/protein and neutrophil percentages correlated significantly with decreasing gestational age (Spearman rank coefficient = -0.58, P = .020 and -.70, P =.03 respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant proportion of school children born very preterm demonstrate persistent peripheral airway obstruction that is accompanied by neutrophilic lower airway inflammation.
authors.affiliation: University Children's Hospital, St-Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany. norbert.teig@rub.de
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Teig
authors.forename: Manel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allali
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.forename: Eckard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hamelmann
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D013183:Sputum / Q000378:metabolism*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016209:Interleukin-8