Measuring respiratory outcome.

Chronic respiratory morbidity is a common outcome of very premature birth. Infants who are chronically oxygen dependent with an abnormal chest radiograph are described as suffering from chronic lung disease (CLD), and those with the worst abnormalities diagnosed as having bronchopulmonary dysplasia. CLD infants are very likely to be readmitted to hospital during infancy, particularly during a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemic. Very low birthweight, prematurity and CLD are associated with recurrent respiratory symptoms and lung function abnormalities during the preschool years. These problems are detected even in adolescents who were chronically oxygen dependent after premature birth. Further research to identify effective preventative strategies is urgently required. Copyright 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.