Abstract
Rationale:
Animal models suggest pre-eclampsia (Pre-E) affects alveolar
development, but data from humans are lacking.
Objective:
Assess the impact of Pre-E on airway function, diffusion capacity, and
respiratory morbidity in preterm and term infants born from mothers with
Pre-E.
Methods:
Infants born from mothers with and without Pre-E were recruited for this
study; term and preterm infants were included in both cohorts.
Respiratory morbidity in the first 12 months of life was assessed
through monthly phone surveys. Raised volume rapid thoracoabdominal
compression and measurement of diffusion capacity of the lung to carbon
monoxide (DLCO)) were performed at 6 months corrected age.
Measurements and Main Results:
There were 146 infants in the Pre-E cohort and 143 in the control
cohort. The Pre-E cohort was further divided into non-severe (N=41) and
severe (N=105) groups. There was no significant difference in DCLO and
DLCO/alveolar volume amongst the three groups. Forced vital capacity was
similar amongst the three groups, but the non-severe Pre-E group had
significantly higher forced expiratory flows that the other two. After
adjusting for multiple covariates including prematurity, the severe
Pre-E group had a lower risk for wheezing in the first year of life
compared to the other two.
Conclusions:
Pre-E is not associated with reduced DLCO, lower forced expiratory
flows, or increased wheezing in the first year of life. These results
differ from animal models and highlight the the complex relationships
between Pre-E and lung function and respiratory morbidity in human
infants.
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