Perception of Quality of Life in School-age Children Born Before 32 weeks of Gestational Age
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Conclusion: In our population of preterm school-aged children with grades 2-3 BPD, worse perceived quality of life was reported compared to those with no BPD or grade 1 BPD. Preterm children who developed asthma symptoms during the follow-up period also reported lower perceived quality of life. No differences in QoL were observed between patients with no BPD and those with grade 1 BPD, or between those born before and after 28 weeks of gestation. These findings highlight the importance of assessing the QoL in preterm patients with BPD, particularly those with grade 2-3 BPD or asthma symptoms, as early assessment can help identify patients who may benefit from targeted interventions to improve quality of life and long-term outcomes.
What Is Known: • Survival rates of extremely preterm infants have increased significantly in recent years, but respiratory morbidity, particularly bronchopulmonary dysplasia, remains a common problem. The impact of BPD on the quality of life of preterm infants, particularly at school age, is still debated. BPD is associated with an increased risk of asthma and abnormal lung function, but its effect on QoL is not fully understood.
What Is New: • Preterm infants with grade 2-3 BPD have a significantly worse perception of QoL at school age, especially in the domain of "social activities". This finding emphasises the need for long-term follow-up and possible interventions to improve QoL, especially in terms of social integration. Asthma symptoms during childhood also contribute to poorer QoL perceptions, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and effective treatment.