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Prematurely born males compared to females have greater respiratory morbidiy in childhood, but differences in adolescents and young adults are less clear.A systematic review was undertaken to determine if there were sex differences in the lung function of prematurely born or very low birth weight born adolescents and adultsSeven of 1969 studies were included (766 infants). Three found no significant differences, but did not give raw lung function data. Four studies reported lung function data by sex. One found no significant differences and another only reported results for females, which were not lower than the controls. Another found males compared to females aged 16–19 years had lung function z scores indicating a more obstructive pattern [p<0.05]. The males, however, had significantly better exercise tolerance. The fourth reported worse lung function only in preterm born adult males.Male compared to female individuals born prematurely had worse lung function in adulthood, but only in two of seven studies, both reported results from patients born in the era of routine surfactant use. Further research is required to more robustly determine the effect of sex on lung function in adults born prematurely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between chorioamnionitis and respiratory outcomes of prematurely born children. Pubmed, Medline and Embase were searched for relevant studies. Studies were included if they assessed prematurely born children, who had been exposed to chorioamnionitis and had either lung function testing or assessment of wheeze or asthma following NICU discharge. Two reviewers independently screened the search results, applied inclusion criteria and assessed methodological quality. One reviewer extracted the data and these were checked by a second reviewer. A total of 1,237 studies were identified, but only eight which included 35,000 infants, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. One study looked at both lung function results and wheeze or asthma in childhood. Four of five studies found an association between wheeze/asthma in childhood and exposure to chorioamnionitis: the overall Odds Ratio (OR) for developing wheeze/asthma in childhood was OR 1.71 (95 % CI: 1.55–1.89). Four studies looked at lung function in childhood, three of which showed no statistically significant association between chorioamnionitis exposure and altered lung function. One study found lower lung function in those exposed to chorioamnionitis and lower expiratory flows with increasing levels of chorioamnionitis (forced expiratory flow at 50 % of exhaled forced vital capacity (=FEF50) p=0.012, forced expiratory flow at 25–75 % of the forced vital capacity is exhaled (=FEF25–75) p=0.014). There was a significant association between chorioamnionitis and the development of wheeze or asthma in childhood, but overall not in impairment of lung function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) has been associated with increased perinatal morbidity, but the effect of PPROM on respiratory disease has not been previously quantified. We hypothesised that PPROM would be associated with a higher incidence of invasive ventilation. (2) Methods: A retrospective cohort study at the Neonatal Unit at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, was conducted on infants born before 37 weeks of gestation. PPROM was defined as the rupture of membranes for >48 h. (3) Results: We reviewed 1901 infants (434 with PPROM) with a median (IQR) gestational age of 32.4 (28.7–35.0) weeks. The median (IQR) duration of rupture of membranes in the infants with PPROM was 129 (78–293) h. The incidence of invasive ventilation was 56% in the infants with PPROM and 46% in the infants without PPROM (p < 0.001). Following regression analysis, PPROM was significantly related to a higher incidence of invasive ventilation (odds ratio: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.13–1.92, adjusted p = 0.004) after adjusting for birth weight [odds ratio = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.33–0.43, adjusted p < 0.001], Apgar score at 10 min [odds ratio =0.61; 95% CI: 0.56–0.66, adjusted p < 0.001] and antenatal corticosteroid use (adjusted p = 0.939). (4) Conclusions: PPROM was associated with a 1.48-fold higher risk of needing invasive ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Methods Results Conclusion To compare the time spent above the target oxygen saturation range (SpO2 > 96%) and the duration of supplemental oxygen between ventilated infants receiving closed‐loop automated oxygen control (CLAC) or manual oxygen control in late preterm and term ventilated infants.Infants were randomised to receive CLAC or manual oxygen control from recruitment and within 24 h of mechanical ventilation until successful extubation.Forty infants with a median (IQR) gestational age of 37.4 (35.9–38.5) weeks were studied at a corrected postmenstrual age of 37.6 (36.0–38.7) weeks. In infants randomised to CLAC (n = 18) the time spent above the target oxygen saturation range was reduced by 20% (p < 0.001), and the time spent in the target range (92%–96%) was increased by 32% (p < 0.001) and the time spent in hyperoxia was reduced (p = 0.003). CLAC reduced the time spent in hypoxemia (SpO2 < 85%) (p = 0.017) and there were fewer manual adjustments to the inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the duration of supplemental oxygen (p = 0.271).CLAC in ventilated infants born at or near term was associated with reduced time spent in hyperoxemia, more time spent in the target oxygen range, and fewer manual adjustments to the FiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]