Lung function following very preterm birth in the era of 'new' bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
One of the most significant complications of preterm birth is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The pathophysiology of BPD has changed in recent years as advances in neonatal care have led to increased survival of smaller, more preterm, infants who display alterations to alveolar and pulmonary microvascular development. It is becoming clear that infants with 'new' BPD experience lung disease that persists into later childhood, however, the oldest of these children are just now entering young adulthood and therefore the longer term pulmonary implications remain unknown. The role of lung function testing in the identification and subsequent management of patients with lung disease resulting from a neonatal classification of BPD is reviewed based on the underlying pathophysiology of the disease.
Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Shannon J
SJ
Simpson
Graham L
GL
Hall
Andrew C
AC
Wilson
D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
bronchopulmonary dysplasia; infant lung function; lung development; lung function; preterm