At the age of 8 years, lung function was evaluated in 15 survivors from BPD. The results were compared with those of 2 groups of children without neonatal lung disease : 1) prematurely born (PB), and 2) born at term (TB). Gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) were similar in BPD (29.8 ± 2.8 weeks; 1368g ± 548) and in PB (30.3 ± 1.9 weeks; 1420g ±397). Heights at test were similar in the 3 groups.Lung resistance (RL) and dynamic lung compliance (CLdyn) were measured using the esophageal balloon technique. RL (cm H2O/l/s) was significantly increased (p IN CONCLUSION: we observed persistent functional abnormalities during childhood, following BPD, but also following PB without lung disease. Therefore, PB by itself appears to play a determinant role in long term pulmonary function.
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