Abstract

INTRODUCTION : Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in premature or very low weight patients. The preterm birth of child can generate serious consequences directly on the lung in its structure and development and may persist throughout life. The objective was to characterize the respiratory function of preschool patients with a history of prematurity .

METHODS:Children from 5 to 10 years old, with a history of preterm birth. Subsequently anthropometry was performed and finally pulmonary function tests: impulse oscillometry with a team from the CareFusion company, With the NDD Easy One Pro equipment, Nitrogen Washing and Pulmonary Carbon Monoxide Diffusion were performed. The analysis was performed with STATA v.13.

RESULTS:48 patients was incluided, 34 male y 14 females and 120 healthy patients. The spirometry showed that FVC (forced vital capacity) is maintained with the same behavior as in healthy children, unlike FEV1 (Forced Exhaled Volume 1sec), which is lower in premature patients with p 0.01, 11% presented obstructive pattern with 38% response to BD. In oscillometry, there was a significant difference in the resistance, both R5 and R20, with an increased R5 and R20 decreased in preterm infants. DLCO, no significant differences were found. In the Nitrogen wash, an increase in the LCI was found, which would tell us of a heterogeneity of the ventilation.

CONCLUSIONS: Preterm infants show changes in their lung function compared with term children at school age with a decrease in FEV1 with preserved FVC; and increase of R5 with response to Bronchodilator so decreased reactance and Heterogeneity of ventilation with diffusion Conserved.