Image phenotyping of preterm-born children using hyperpolarised 129Xe lung MRI and multiple-breath washout

Rationale: Preterm birth is associated with low lung function in childhood, but little is known about the lung microstructure in childhood. Objectives: We assessed the differential associations between the historical diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and current lung function phenotypes on lung ventilation and microstructure in preterm-born children using hyperpolarised 129Xe ventilation and diffusion-weighted MRI, and multiple breath washout (MBW). Methods: Data were available from 63 children (aged 9-13 years) including 44 born preterm (≤34 weeks’ gestation) and 19 term-born controls (≥37 weeks’ gestation). Preterm-born children were classified, using spirometry, into prematurity-associated obstructive lung disease (POLD, FEV1