Longitudinal impairment of lung function in school-age children with extremely low birth weights

To assess lung function and long-term respiratory outcomes in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) survivors.ELBW, especially with respiratory complications in the neonatal period, affects lung function at a later age.Longitudinal retrospective study.Lung function was evaluated in 89 ELBW survivors (at ages 8 and 12) with or without a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or a bubbly/cystic lung appearance in the neonatal period.FVC, FEVLung function variables were significantly and positively correlated between 8 and 12 years: %FVC (RIn ELBW survivors, the obstructive pattern of lung function impairment deteriorated from 8 to 12 years of age, independent of the presence of severe BPD or bubbly/cystic appearance in the neonatal period.