Childhood Course of Lung Function in Survivors of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the primary respiratory complication of premature birth, associated with a reduced maximal lung function that may carry a risk of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)–like phenotype developing later in life. We demonstrated that severe early airflow obstruction at 2 years identified survivors of BPD at greater risk of disrupted lung growth during their childhood, suggesting a guarded long-term respiratory prognosis. Patients with better airflow at 2 years showed an improvement in lung function in later childhood, suggesting some degree of functional recovery.