2023-07-13 06:27:51
Premature Birth Linked to Undiagnosed Lung Damage in Adults, warns Pulmonologist
Rotterdam, Netherlands – Recent findings have revealed that lung damage resulting from premature birth often goes undiagnosed in adulthood. According to Lieke Kamphuis, a pulmonologist at Erasmus Medical Center, a significant number of adults unknowingly suffer from lung disorders caused by their premature birth. Kamphuis estimates that around 60,000 adult Dutch people are living with undiagnosed lung conditions due to premature birth.
Kamphuis is urging doctors to be more vigilant in identifying patients with lung complaints who were born prematurely. In many cases, patients with lung damage resulting from premature birth are misdiagnosed with conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or asthma. This improper diagnosis leads to ineffective treatments and a lack of improvement in symptoms.
“The majority of patients do not even realize they have lung damage. They accept that they experience shortness of breath, fatigue, and persistent colds,” explains Kamphuis.
However, correct diagnosis can make a significant difference. Kamphuis states that with the right treatment, up to three out of four patients can experience improved lung function and reduced symptoms. The treatment involves a combination therapy of two bronchodilators to relax the muscles of the airways, as well as targeted treatment for scarred lung tissue.
Mieke Verberkt, 32, is one such patient who experienced a life-changing transformation after receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment. Verberkt, who was born three months premature, had been struggling with lung complaints since childhood. “I always felt it was my fault,” she said. However, after being diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at the pulmonary department of the Erasmus Medical Center, Verberkt began a bronchodilator treatment that significantly improved her lung function.
Kamphuis believes that more awareness of this condition is essential to prevent further complications for premature babies. She suggests that all premature babies have a standard CT scan at the age of 18 to assess their lung health and prevent future complications.
In response to Kamphuis’ warning, Leon van den Toorn, chairman of the Dutch Association of Physicians for Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis, emphasized the need for general practitioners and pulmonologists to actively inquire about premature birth history when diagnosing lung conditions. Currently, this connection is not consistently made during medical consultations.
As for Verberkt, she hopes that her story will raise awareness and lead to earlier and accurate diagnoses for other premature babies. “I hope there will be more awareness of this condition, so that people realize that their complaints are not normal and can be addressed,” she said.
While more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of premature birth on lung health, these findings highlight the importance of considering premature birth history when diagnosing and treating lung conditions in adulthood.]
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