[Lung complications in adults due to premature birth: an increasint patient population that needs to be followed up].

Infants born prematurely are susceptible for respiratory disease later in life. In particular, children born before 32 gestational weeks, treated with oxygen or respiratory support and diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have the highest risk.  Airways obstruction is the major lung function impairment, and it can be aggravated in adult life when age-related loss of lung function takes place. Events both in the neonatal period but also during childhood may, at least partly, explain the relatively large proportion of neversmokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Individuals born prematurely, specifically those with previous BPD, should have regular follow-ups in order to detect respiratory impairment.