Exercise induced bronchial constriction and bronchodilator reversibility in prematurely born children aged 4-8

<bold>Rationale:</bold> Children born before 32 weeks of gestation have a risk of persistent pulmonary disorders due to their underdeveloped lungs. About 30% of these children are diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in the neonatal period, which is associated with an increased risk for long-term pulmonary complications. This study aimed to determine exercise induced bronchial constriction in very prematurely born children aged 4-8 years, with our without BPD. <bold>Methods:</bold> 138 children (mean age 5.8 years), born very prematurely, performed an exercise challenge test (ECT) using a jumping castle. 37 children had been diagnosed with BPD. Children exercised for 6 minutes on a jumping castle and spirometry and oscillometry was performed before and afterwards. Data was collected between 2015 and 2021 and analysed retrospectively. <bold>Results:</bold> 87 out of 99 (88%) children without BPD and 28 out of 37 (76%) children with BPD successfully performed an ECT with spirometry and/or oscillometry. 25% of the children without BPD and 35% of the children with BPD displayed exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). 32% of children without BPD and 14% of children with BPD showed significant bronchodilator reversibility. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> EIB is highly prevalent in very prematurely born children aged 4-8 years, especially in those diagnosed with BPD. Bronchodilator reversibility was higher in children without BPD compared to children with BPD. These results highlight the importance of long-term pulmonary follow-up of preterm infants. <table-wrap><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA4938/T1</object-id><object-id>T1</object-id><object-id>t1</object-id><table><colgroup><col></col><col></col><col></col><col></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Total</td><td>No BPD</td><td>BPD</td></tr><tr><td>Succesful tests</td><td>115/138(83%)</td><td>87/99(87%)</td><td>28/37(76%)</td></tr><tr><td>EIB</td><td>32/115(25%)</td><td>19/87(22%)</td><td>10/28(35%)</td></tr><tr><td>Bronchodilator reversibility (>10%)</td><td>27/115(28%)</td><td>28/87(32%)</td><td>4/28(14%)</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap>