The Role of the Airway and Gut Microbiome in the Development of Chronic Lung Disease of Prematurity.

Chronic lung disease (CLD) of prematurity, a common cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm-born infants, has a multifactorial aetiology. This review summarizes the current evidence for the effect of the gut and airway microbiota on the development of CLD, highlighting the differences in the early colonisation patterns in preterm-born infants compared to term-born infants. Stool samples from preterm-born infants who develop CLD have less diversity than those who do not develop CLD.

Non-invasive respiratory support in preterm infants.

Survival of preterm infants has increased steadily over recent decades, primarily due to improved outcomes for those born before 28 weeks of gestation. However, this has not been matched by similar improvements in longer-term morbidity. One of the key long-term sequelae of preterm birth remains bronchopulmonary dysplasia (also called chronic lung disease of prematurity), contributed primarily by the effect of early pulmonary inflammation superimposed on immature lungs.

Lower airway microbiota in children with Down syndrome compared to controls with similar respiratory symptomatology.

Background: Children with Down syndrome (DS) often present with chronic or recurrent respiratory symptoms and generally have a more severe and prolonged disease course in case of infection. This can be caused by anatomical and/or immunological predisposition. With this study, we aim to compare microbial composition in the lower airways of patients with DS versus controls, to see if we can explain the difference in disease course.

Temporal trends of care practices, morbidity, and mortality of extremely preterm infants over 10-years in South Wales, UK.

Contemporary outcome data of preterm infants are essential to commission, evaluate and improve healthcare resources and outcomes while also assisting professionals and families in counselling and decision making. We analysed trends in clinical practice, morbidity, and mortality of extremely preterm infants over 10 years in South Wales, UK. This population-based study included live born infants < 28 weeks of gestation in tertiary neonatal units between 01/01/2007 and 31/12/2016.

The prevalence of lower airway anomalies in children with Down syndrome compared to controls.

Introduction: Children with Down syndrome (DS) often present with chronic respiratory symptoms. Congenital airway anomalies have been described but data about prevalence is scarce and a comparison to controls is lacking. We aim to compare the endoscopic and clinical data of children with DS to controls without significant medical history.

Protracted bacterial bronchitis: bronchial aspirate versus bronchoalveolar lavage findings: a single-centre retrospective study.

Retrospective chart review of 133 children who underwent bronchoscopy because of possible protracted bacterial bronchitis to compare the results of bronchial aspirates with those of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). When comparing BAL and bronchial aspirate in 70 patients where both samples were available, the result was comparable in 46 cases (65%). If only bronchial aspirates would have been available, seven patients (10%) would have been overtreated, four children (6%) undertreated and three (4%) would have received a different treatment.

Respiratory morbidity in children with cerebral palsy: an overview.

Respiratory problems have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). In particular, recurrent aspiration, impaired airway clearance, spinal and thoracic deformity, impaired lung function, poor nutritional status, and recurrent respiratory infections negatively affect respiratory status. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia may contribute to pulmonary problems, but asthma is not more common in CP than in the general population.