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Preterm birth, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the risk of allergic diseases

Pediatric Research (2025)Cite this article

Allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and food allergies are among the most prevalent chronic conditions in childhood. The role of gestational age in modulating the risk of these conditions has garnered increasing attention. Preterm infants, due to their immature immune systems and altered environmental exposures, represent a unique population in which the typical trajectory of allergic disease development may be modified.

Several studies suggest that preterm birth significantly reduced the risk of some allergic diseases. A meta-analyses, including that by Zhu et al.,1 reported a protective effect of very preterm birth on atopic dermatitis (AD) risk. Recently published systematic review analyzed 13 studies encompassing over 4 million participants and found that 8 studies reported a significantly lower risk of AD in preterm infants compared to term-born peers, while 5 studies found no association.2 The reduced risk of AD in preterm infants may be attributed, among others, to an immature skin barrier, altered skin microbiota, and reduced in utero Th2 exposure.

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  1. Department of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland

    Przemko Kwinta

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Correspondence to Przemko Kwinta.

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Kwinta, P. Preterm birth, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the risk of allergic diseases. Pediatr Res (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04399-x

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