Childhood Pulmonary Function, Exercise Capacity, and Exhaled Nitric Oxide Levels: Outcomes following Neonatal Treatment with Inhaled Nitric Oxide to Prevent Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Objective  The goal was to determine if inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) for 3 weeks during neonatal care of high-risk preterm infants was associated with improved pulmonary function and exercise capacity or altered exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels in later childhood. Study Design  Thirty-four very preterm children previously enrolled in a randomized, neonatal trial of iNO to prevent chronic lung disease, were assessed in follow-up at 7 to 9 years of age, including pulmonary function testing (PFT), exercise testing, and measurement of FeNO. Results  There were no differences in PFTs or exercise capacity between iNO treated and controls. FeNO levels showed large interpatient variability but tended to be lower in the iNO treated. Conclusion  Findings indicate no overall differences in pulmonary function or exercise capacity for children who had neonatal iNO treatment compared with placebo.