According to a recent study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society, adults born very or extremely preterm have respiratory limitations to exercise similar to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, similar to healthy elderly or casual smokers by the time they reach their early 20s.
The study, led by Andrew T. Lovering, a professor of human physiology at the University of Oregon, found that premature infants are at higher risk for contracting bronchopulmonary dysplasia, (BPD) a chronic respiratory disease that affects preterm infants who receive oxygen therapy. The higher the levels of oxygen, and also the increased pressure from the ventilator, higher the lung tissue scarring and other complications.
These infants have been found to be at increased risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a progressive disease that affects breathing. COPD affects 329 million people worldwide and is often the result of exposure to air pollution or smoking.
In this new study, the researchers tested the hypothesis that adult survivors of preterm birth (≤32 wk gestational age) with (n = 20) and without BPD (n = 15) with reduced exercise capacity would demonstrate clinically important respiratory limitations at near-maximal exercise compared with full-term control subjects (n = 20).
Results indicated that adults survivors of preterm birth without BPD, like their counterparts with BPD, have symptoms of mild COPD in their mid-20s, as their lungs functioned less efficiently in comparison to the control group.
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“We were expecting more variation between the two preterm groups — with and without BPD,” Lovering said in a news release. “We didn’t anticipate that they would share a similar lung profile.”
As Lovering mentioned, even if the lung function decline rates remain normal throughout their life, adult preterm survivors with COPD are prone to developing respiratory complications at a much younger age, and also to develop fatigue and poor exercise capacity, resulting in reduced quality of life.
In terms of clinical management of these patients, Lovering mentioned that only some doctors usually ask about the neonatal period when treating their patients, so preterm adults often receive a misguided diagnosis of asthma.
“Additional research is needed to find better ways to serve adult survivors of preterm birth,” Lovering said. “We need to better understand how we can help them maximize their quality of life and lung health as they age.”
Yes, my 27 year old son was born a preemie. 24-26 weeks, 2lbs. 2oz. 5 1/2 months nicu. He’s always had breathing issues, and it has always been treated like asthma. Even though on his best day he can not walk very far without shortness of breath.
I have copd. There is no other explanation except that I was born two months premature. I was in an incubator for 30 days I am told. I never smoked tobacco.
I have two grown daughters (27 and 32 years old) born at 26 weeks and 32 weeks respectively who both exhibit these symptoms. Only found out because the older one went on an internet search to try to understand why she has such trouble climbing stairs or keeping up with others when they go hiking. Troubling, because I thought we’d seen the last of their problems with being born early. I hope there will be some medical help for them at some point.
I am a 40 year old 28 week premature twin. I have been battling moderate obstructive lung disease for many years. I am on multiple medications but still battle symptoms almost daily. My pulmonologists don’t know what else to do for me.
What medication are you on if you don’t mind me asking , I’m 22 and it’s my 2nd stint in hospital this year with breathing difficulties. I’ve always been told asthma
I was bore 30 weeks weighing 1lb10oz
What medication are you on if you don’t mind me asking , I’m 22 and it’s my 2nd stint in hospital this year with breathing difficulties. I’ve always been told asthma
I was bore 30 weeks weighing 1lb10oz I just want to know if I’m getting all the right treatments z
I am a 32 year old former BPD patient, now termed as COPD. I am stable, no progression but no improvement. I too take multiple medications to manage but still have symptoms every day. I also have asthma on top of the COPD
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Hi I’m 34 and recently diagnosed with BPD I was 3 months premature in the hospital for nearly 6 months after birth and developed near Pneumonia related RSV at age 5 again in the hospital for 2-3 weeks nearly dying. I’ve been treated for Asthma for all my life from Oxygen therapy up until age 4-5, then nebulizer from 5-13, then inhalers as teen and adult; then 6 years ago it was also called a form of COPD. As of this year my doctor did a CT scan of my lungs and confirmed it was BPD with Asthmatic type symptoms. My symptoms cause me to have wheezing during strenuous exercise and develop colds more severely with more like respiratory infections. Otherwise pretty normal as long as I’m not running marathons or climbing mountains. I do wonder though as I get older say 60’s + will this affect my health as having basically Chronic Lung Disorder and will my health decline with infections as I age? I guess only time will tell.
Stacy, I’ve always said the same thing! I live normally as long as I’m not running marathons or hiking mountains. Lol I’m 46, was 3 mths early, spent 4.5 months in the hospital at birth. I had many rounds with pneumonia but by age 2 it became less frequent than stopped. I had no medication growing up, it didn’t do anything. But now as an adult I’m on plenty and have lost some lung function due to age.
I was born 3 months early in 1959 I am now 60 years old and have many problems with my breathing and I get a lot of chest pain a of swelling in my chest and muscles and i also have asthma and obstructive sleep apnea need to know what to do so i don’t end up in the emergency room or hospital