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The effect of intrauterine growth restriction on postnatal lung function: the fetal origins of postnatal lung disease

journal contribution
posted on 2001-12-01, 00:00 authored by Julie Owens
There is mounting evidence, based on epidemiological studies, that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) may lead to reduced lung function and an increased incidence of lung disease in adult life. There is however little experimental evidence to support these studies. Hypothesis: That IUGR permanently alters the development of the lungs resulting in persistently abnormal lung function postnatally. Methods: Lambs from twin pregnancies, with birthweights falling in the growth restricted range were studied at one week, three months and six months of age. Normally grown lambs from single pregnancies served as controls. Lung function studies were performed with the animals sedated and with endotracheal tubes in situ. FRC was measured using the Nitrogen washout technique. The raised volume rapid thoracic compression technique was used to obtain forced expiratory volumes and flows. Results: FRC, forced expiratory volume in 0.5 seconds (FEV0 5) and FVC were all lower in the IUGR group at the one week and three month studies (p<0.05 FEV0 5 at 3months, p<0.001 for others). All of these differences could be accounted for by correcting for body weight at the time of study. Although body weight remained significantly lower in the IUGR group at six months (p0.001), there were no significant differences between the groups in FRC, FEV0.5or FVC. Conclusions: In this model of IUGR, transient reductions in lung function were detected, however lung function normalised by six months of age. These findings do not support the hypothesis that IUGR leads to persistently abnormal lung function postnatally.

History

Journal

Respirology

Volume

6

Issue

SUPPL. 1

Publisher

Wiley

Location

Chichester, Eng.

ISSN

1323-7799

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

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