Physiological responses to exercise in survivors of preterm birth: a meta-analysis

Survivors of preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestation) have low peak oxygen uptake, a global measure of aerobic fitness and an established predictor of increased morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about other cardiopulmonary outcome measures in this population. We addressed the hypothesis that preterm birth is associated with abnormal respiratory, cardiovascular and metabolic responses to exercise, as assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing, via a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Citation:
Beaven ML, Gibbons JTD, Course CW, Kotecha SJ, ………. Smith EF, Simpson SJ. Physiological responses to exercise in survivors of preterm birth: a meta-analysis. European Respiratory Review. 2025;34(176):240163.

Keywords:
Cardiorespiratory Fitness; exercise test; tolerance; physiology; infant, newborn; lung; physiopathology;
oxygen consumption; premature birth

Abstract:
Survivors of preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestation) have low peak oxygen uptake, a global measure of aerobic fitness and an established predictor of increased morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about other cardiopulmonary outcome measures in this population. We addressed the hypothesis that preterm birth is associated with abnormal respiratory, cardiovascular and metabolic responses to exercise, as assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing, via a systematic review and meta-analysis.