Very low birthweight, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and health in early childhood

Abstract

The impact of very low birthweight (<1500g) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) on respiratory morbidity, on need of medical resources and rehabilitation at 2-8 y of age, and on the everyday life of the child's family was evaluated by means of a questionnaire addressed to parents of 143 very low birthweight children, 36 of whom had had BPD at 28 d postnatal age, and 131 term controls. In the preceding year, respiratory symptoms provoked by exercise, use of inhaled medications, regular follow-up visits and hospitalizations, need for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, technical aids and financial support from society had been more common in the very low birthweight groups compared to children born at term. Children with BPD suffered respiratory infections and needed antibiotic courses more frequently than term controls. Repeated antibiotic courses, physiotherapy and occupational therapy were more common among very low birthweight children with BPD than among those without. Concern for the child and the impact of the child's health on his or her everyday life and the parents' work and education were more often reported in target families than in term controls. Compared to term families, more parents in the BPD group felt that the child's health affected the pasttimes of other family members. To the families concerned, very low birthweight and BPD constitute a significant burden far beyond the neonatal period. Validated scales for the assessment of their quality of life are needed to develop supportive measures and to evaluate the effects of such interventions.