Pulmonary Function Tests in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Why, What, and How

Abstract Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) occurs primarily in extremely premature infants and is associated with lifelong altered lung function that is often manifested by abnormal pulmonary function test (PFT) results. Infants with severe BPD represent an extreme pulmonary phenotype but all infants born preterm are at risk for altered lung growth. Throughout the life course, individuals track along PFT percentiles that are established very early. Thus preterm infants who begin life with suboptimal lung function may be predisposed to the development of early chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Measurements of lung function with PFTs early in life can improve understanding of the determinants of lung growth and facilitate the evaluation of new therapeutic interventions and current clinical strategies. This chapter addresses the diagnostic and research value of early and serial PFTs, provides references for equipment and specific methodology, and describes how to incorporate infant PFTs into outcomes research in this vulnerable population.