Premature Infants have no Higher Risk of Atopy and Respiratory Functions are not different from Control at 4-6 Years of Age

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the respiratory functions and atopy conditions of the preterm infants treated with aminophylline or caffeine for apnea in NICU in early childhood Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. In this study, 27 patients aged 4 to 6 years hospitalized in NICU for prematurity and 26 healthy children were included. The subjects were evaluated for fx5, phadiotope, total IgE levels, skin tests and respiratory function tests. Results: There was no statistically significant difference among groups in terms of fx5, phadiotope, total IgE levels and skin test results. Also no statistically significant difference was found among the groups in terms of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/ FVC, PEF, MEF75, MEF50, MEF25, and MEF25-75 values in respiratory function tests. Preterm neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) had higher FEV1 values compared to ones without BPD (p=0.02). Conclusion: Preterm infants treated with aminophylline or caffeine had no higher risk of atopy and had similar respiratory function tests compared with healthy infants at 4-6 years old. However FEV1 values was higher in infants with BPD. These results suggest that respiratory functions could be affected in the long term follow-up of premature infants with BPD.