CONCLUSION
Our study illustrates that infants who are born premature and develop
bronchopulmonary dysplasia have significantly different long-term
pulmonary trajectories than what would be expected of “healthy”
controls. A decreased FEV1 percent predicted, suggestive
of airflow obstruction, was associated with a lower median household
income, presence of a Nissen fundoplication, and a lower weight
percentile at two years of age whereas a decreased FVC percent
predicted, suggestive of decreased pulmonary reserve, was associated
with an increased amount of supplemental oxygen required at the time of
discharge from the NICU, presence of a Nissen fundoplication, and lower
weight percentile at two years of age. Future prospective studies should
focus on further clarifying potential modifiable risk factors,
particularly those that may be associated with lower household income,
that could prevent the development of disease or minimize its impact on
later lung function.