Premature birth is strongly linked to development of lung diseases later in life, suggests a recent study. A research team at the Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Centre for Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, analysed data compiled from 1,445 participants in the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS) over six decades. They found that compared to normal birth, very early to moderate preterm birth was associated with a 2.9-fold increase in the risk of COPD and other lung disease development. The study used post-bronchodilator spirometry, a breathing test, to measure the time taken for air in the lungs to be emptied to find the impact of preterm birth on impaired lung function.