Table 3 Comparison of selected factors between the group of ELBW infants with and without wheeze in the last year

Perinatal factors

Birth weight (g), mean (SD)

853±139

830±159

0.8^a

Gestational age (weeks), mean (SD)

27.3±2.1

27.3±2.6

0.9^a

Female

37 (67%)

15 (58%)

0.5^b

Length of mechanical ventilation (Me; 25-75^th percentile) (days)

17 (2–48)

24 (6–39)

0.8^c

Length of oxygen therapy (Me; 25-75^th percentile) (days)

44 (13–77)

55 (34–74)

0.9^c

Oxygen therapy at least 28 days

34 (62%)

19 (73%)

0.5^b

Oxygen therapy at the 36 PMA

21 (38%)

10 (38%)

1.0^b

Infancy

Wheeze in the first 24 months of life

29 (53%)

21 (81%)

0.03^b

Hospitalization in the first 24 months of life

25 (45%)

19 (73%)

0.03^b

Immunoprophylaxis with palimivizumab

8 (15%)

2 (8%)

0.5^b

Atopy

Parental history of atopy

9 (17%)

5 (22%)

0.8^b

Passive smoking

4 (7%)

4 (15%)

0.26^b

Pets at home

21 (40%)

11 (48%)

0.7^b

serum tIgE (Me; 25-75^th percentile)

22 (12–68)

34 (12–73)

0.3^c

Absoulte eosinophil count (eos/uL

230±137

338±275

0.03^a

Positive SPT

4 (7%)

4 (15%)

0.26^b

Recent status

Hospitalization in the last year

2 (4%)

12 (46%)

<0.01^b

Current medications

11 (20%)

15 (58%)

0.002^b

FEV₁ (%)

80±13

83±16

0.61^a

Δ%FEV₁ (%)

1±7

16±13

0.002^a

Δ%FEV₁ >12%

0/14

4/8 (50%)

0.01^b