Objective:

To explore baseline differences and longitudinal pulmonary function patterns between preterm and term infants, addressing gaps in small airway function follow-up.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• Lower gestational age correlated with reduced VT, TPEF/TE, VPEF/VE, and elevated RR (P < 0.05).
• < 32 weeks group had significantly lower VT (20.4 + 4.6 mL) compared to ≥ 37 weeks (24.6 + 3.1 mL, P < 0.001).
• At 3 months, < 32 weeks infants had higher VT (51.6 + 8.3 mL) than 34–36 + 6 weeks (39.5 + 9.2 mL, P = 0.001).
• At 6 months, TEF50 in < 32 weeks group (84.2 + 17.6 mL/s) remained lower than ≥ 37 weeks (75.1 + 19.7 mL/s, P < 0.05).
• Each additional week of gestational age increased VT by 0.15 mL/month (P = 0.017).
• < 32 weeks group had faster VT growth (0.23 mL/month) than ≥ 37 weeks (0.09 mL/month, P < 0.05).
• Each 1 kg higher birth weight increased VT by 0.75 mL/month (P = 0.003).
• Maternal gestational diabetes accelerated VT growth (β = 1.04 mL/month P = 0.025).

Interpretation:

Preterm infants show gestational age-dependent lung function recovery, with faster rates in younger gestational ages, but extremely preterm infants exhibit delayed small airway function at 6 months.

Limitations:

• Limited longitudinal follow-up for small airway function in extremely preterm infants.
• Inadequate analysis of interactions between perinatal factors and gestational age.

Conclusion:

Preterm infants exhibit gestational age-dependent lung function recovery, with faster rates in younger gestational ages.

Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.