Effect of Automated Oxygen Control on Early-childhood Lung Mechanics

Preterm infants are at higher risk of long-term respiratory problems and abnormal lung function in childhood. Respiratory support including mechanical ventilation, that is the use of a machine to move air into and out of the lungs, and oxygen treatment may further increase the risk of complications. In a randomised controlled trial, closed-loop automated oxygen control (CLAC) was associated with reductions in the duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen treatment and may, therefore, help reduce long-term respiratory morbidity. The effect of CLAC systems on lung function has not been explored to date. This prospective observational study aims to explore the effect of automated oxygen control during the neonatal period on lung mechanics in children who were born at less than 34 weeks of gestation and required mechanical ventilation. The study will take place at King's College Hospital (KCH) children's outpatient department. Parents of children that participated in the randomised trial of automated versus manual oxygen control will be approached, informed and if appropriate consented to join the study. The study will measure outcomes including lung mechanics and parent-reported respiratory morbidity (breathing difficulties, respiratory infections, hospital admissions after discharge from neonatal care). Results will be compared between the two groups. Lung mechanics will be assessed using a technique called forced oscillation. This is a technique which involves the patient breathing through a face mask (if less than two years of age) or a mouthpiece filter (if older than two years). It is a non-invasive technique that measures lung function by superimposing gentle air pressure waves onto the patient's spontaneous breathing.An average of three measurements each one lasting up to 20 seconds will be performed. Parents will be asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding the health of their child after discharge from the neonatal unit. The study's duration will be 12 months.