New Lung Function Test Offers Hope for Premature Babies
Premature infants face a higher risk of serious respiratory problems, including chronic lung disease and breathing difficulties. Existing methods for evaluating lung function in these vulnerable newborns often require uncomfortable procedures. Though, a recent breakthrough study offers a promising solution.
Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have spearheaded a multicenter study using impulse oscillometry (IOS), a non-invasive technique, to assess lung function in extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) – babies born more than three months prematurely. This is a notable advancement, as previous methods, like spirometry, necessitate forced exhalations, wich are impossible for these tiny patients.
“Despite the non-invasive nature of IOS, it has not been widely utilized to evaluate lung health in the ELGAN population. This motivated us to report our methods and success in implementing a multicenter protocol for obtaining research-quality oscillometry data in extremely preterm children,” explains Dr. Katharine tsukahara,lead author of the study published in pediatric Investigation on September 25,2024.
The study involved early school-age preterm children from two existing research studies: the Hydrocortisone for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Respiratory and Developmental (HYBRiD) Outcomes Study and the Transfusion of Prematures Early school Age Follow-Up (TOP 5) study. The researchers also included full-term infants with healthy lungs as a control group. Data was collected across five Neonatal Research Network (NRN) centers.
In addition to IOS,researchers used a six-minute walk test and the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire to comprehensively assess respiratory function. The IOS testing adhered to strict Childhood Asthma Research and Education (CARE) Network protocols, ensuring high-quality data. The study also identified factors that might hinder successful IOS testing, such as low birth weight, prolonged ventilation in the neonatal intensive care unit, and neuromotor problems.
“currently, clinical data regarding the trajectory of lung health in former preterm infants is limited. Our team’s study design has shown high levels of success and acceptability in generating research-quality IOS data in a population with high rates of prematurity-associated comorbidities. This study provides a possible framework for future research studies investigating lung function in former preterm patients,” concludes Dr. Tsukahara, emphasizing the potential impact of this research.
This innovative approach to evaluating lung function in premature infants holds significant promise for improving their long-term health outcomes. The findings pave the way for larger-scale studies and could lead to earlier interventions and better management of respiratory complications in this vulnerable population.
