Abstract
Little is known about longterm sequelae of prematurity in non selected population based studies. We investigated cross-sectionally all fourth grade schoolchildren in Munich (n=7445) and n=195S schoolchildren in Southern Bavaria (born 1978-80) with a parental questionnaire (Q) and lung function test (L) (Pneumoskop, Fa.Jäger) prior to and after cold air challenge (CACH) (RHES device, Fa. Jäger).
Results. Response rates were 87% for Q and 77.5% for L. In the 5647 german children with complete lung function results parents of 298 (5,3%) children reported prematurity (P) (gestational age <37wks) and birth weight <2500gr. The prevalence of asthma was: 12.0% for P boys (m) vs 9.6% for term boys, 12.2% for P girls (f) vs 6.0% for term girls (p<0.02). The prevalence of asthma increased only slightly (p=0.4) when P children had been ventilated (30.7% of P) as compared to non ventilated P. The prevalence of abnormal L parameters in % prior to CACH is:
There was no difference for the change in FEV1 after CACH between P and Term.
Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma was significantly higher in preterm born children. P girls showed significantly lower L (MEF75, MEF50, MEF25) compared to term born girls. We found no difference in bronchial hyperreactivity to cold air between groups.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mutius, E., Nicolai, T. & Reitmeir, P. PREMATURITY, SUBSEQUENT ASTHMA AND LUNG FUNCTION AT THE AGE OF 9–11. Pediatr Res 32, 637 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00193
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00193