Respiratory Morbidity of Late-Preterm Vs Intrauterine Growth Retarded Infants at School Age

Background: It is increasingly recognized that late preterm infants have increased respiratory morbidity in the neonatal period as well as decreased lung function in later life. Also, in-utero growth retardation (IUGR) and low birth weight are associated with increased respiratory morbidity beginning from infancy, throughout childhood and into adulthood. However, very few studies have assessed long term respiratory consequences of late preterm birth in comparison with IUGR. Aim: To determine respiratory morbidity of late-preterm vs infants with IUGR at school age Study Design: Participants included late-preterm AGA infants (34-36, 6/7 weeks), IUGR infants (term/preterm) and term AGA infants born between 2004 and 2008 were included in this study and assessed for respiratory morbidity at school age. To assess the impact of late-preterm birth compared with IUGR and term gestation on respiratory morbidity by using a validated questionnaire. Wheezing, infectious respiratory morbidity and physician-diagnosed asthma panels were evaluated.