Preterm Birth and Inhaled Corticosteroid Use in 6- to 19-Year-Olds: A Swedish National Cohort Study

Abstract

Preterm birth increased the risk of ICS use in these 6- to 19-year-olds by degree of immaturity, from extremely preterm to early term birth.

Wheezing, asthma, and atopy in premature infants at 2 years of age

“…It is suggested that preterm birth increases the risk of asthma and wheezing disorders during childhood and the risk of asthma/wheezing disorders increases as the degree of prematurity increases in a systematic review and metaanalysis (8). Premature infants, especially BPD patients, experience more hospital readmissions and outpatient and emergency rooms visits, and are more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses and to need bronchodilator therapy (9,10).…”

Preterm Birth and Long-Term Pulmonary Function

“…Furthermore, this ex-preterm group reached a 15% lower workload than healthy peers; however, closer analyses of the results suggest that the ex-preterm subjects may have muscular deconditioning accounting for these results (Vogt et al, 2011). Indeed, these ex-preterms also reported fewer hours of exercise per week than the control subjects, which might explain their lower level of fitness (Vogt et al, 2011). In a group of adolescents assessed at 17 years of age using a step test and muscle strength tests, there were significant differences in motor performance in the ex-preterm group compared with healthy term subjects reflected in aerobic capacity, strength, endurance, flexibility, and activity level (Rogers et al, 2005).…”

“…However, the DL CO values were not corrected for Qpeff or body surface area, both important determinants of DL CO , and significantly, there were no DL CO measurements undertaken during exercise or during recovery, thus posing difficulties with the interpretation of these results. Furthermore, this ex-preterm group reached a 15% lower workload than healthy peers; however, closer analyses of the results suggest that the ex-preterm subjects may have muscular deconditioning accounting for these results (Vogt et al, 2011). Indeed, these ex-preterms also reported fewer hours of exercise per week than the control subjects, which might explain their lower level of fitness (Vogt et al, 2011).…”

“…Burns and colleagues (Burns et al, 2009) compared 54 nondisabled ex-preterms aged 11-13 years (mean birth weight of 769 grams and mean gestational age of 26.6 weeks) with 55 children born at term. Ex-preterm adolescents had significantly lower motor coordination, 72.2% compared with 21.8% of the control group (Vogt et al, 2011). VO 2 max calculated from a 20m Shuttle Run test, was lower in the expreterm group compared with the controls (p = 0.001).…”

“…Specifically, LBW adults aged 18-27 years had 83% higher odds of hospitalization for asthma, respiratory infections and respiratory failure as young adults when compared with those who were of normal birth weight (Walter et al, 2009). Similarly, using inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as a surrogate marker of respiratory symptoms and asthma, a national cohort study in Sweden, found that ICS use increased with the degree of immaturity at birth (Vogt et al, 2011). By contrast, Vrijlandt et al (Vrijlandt et al, 2006) did not observe an excess of respiratory symptoms, however, the questionnaire focused only on previous and current history of asthma and no recurrent hospitalization data were given.…”