Objective
To compare pulmonary function in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) studied at 34–36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) with a reference group of “healthy” infants born at 34–36 weeks. We hypothesized that ELBW infants have decreased functional residual capacity (FRC) and respiratory compliance (Crs). Study design
Pulmonary function testing was performed at 34–36 weeks PMA in infants with BPD and within 96 h of age in infants delivered at 34–36 weeks. Results
Twenty BPD patients and 20 healthy infants were studied. FRC (18.9 versus 26.2 mL/kg; adjusted 95% CI 5.0, 10.9; P \u3c 0.001) and Crs (0.80 versus 1.29-mL/cm H2O/kg; 95% CI 0.31, 0.71; P \u3c 0.001) were decreased in BPD patients. Respiratory resistance was increased in BPD patients. Conclusions
ELBW infants with BPD have decreased pulmonary function compared to healthy infants delivered at 34–36 weeks. This suggests that infants with BPD have smaller lung volumes
