SUMMARY Lung function was recorded in a cohort of 130 age specific children of low birth weight (under 2000 g) and a reference population of 120 unselected local schoolchildren at 7 years of age. Children of the cohort were similar in height and forced vital capacity to the reference group, but had significantly reduced forced expiratory volume in 0-75 second and expiratory flow indices. Although neonatal respiratory illness was associated with reduced airway function, we were unable to confirm that this was a consequence of oxygen treatment or mechanical ventilation. Low birth weight, however, was closely associated with poor airway function independent of neonatal respiratory illness. Other factors of importance included the male gender and maternal smoking. The reduction in airway function observed in the low birthweight children was associated with cough but not wheeze. The disparity between the relatively well preserved vital capacity and reduced airway function suggests that very low birth weight, and hence prematurity, has its greatest effect on the subsequent growth of airway function.

First-generation college students face a number of barriers to academic success and completion of their degrees. Using Bronfenbrenner’s (1989) ecological theory as a framework, qualitative research was used to examine the experiences of 10 first-generation Appalachian Kentucky university students (mean age = 21 years) and factors they attributed to their educational success. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Seven themes representing participants’ experiences in a university setting were identified: (a) close-knit families and communities, (b) separate identities, (c) knowledge of college procedures, (d) pressure to succeed, (e) returning home, (f ) the pervasiveness of poverty, and (g) the importance of early intervention programming. Additional areas for research and potential policy adjustments for universities serving this population are presented.

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The findings for enamel defects in the primary dentition of a group of low birthweight (LBW) children were related to their perinatal medical histories. Examination of 110 LBW children and 93 control children aged 5 years showed that significantly more of the LBW children (71%) had hypoplasia than controls (15%), but there was no difference in opacities alone (LBW 25%, control 26%). In the LBW group, defects were seen more often in children classified as ill during the perinatal period, who received ventilator support or intravenous alimentation and in those children born at less than 32 weeks gestation, compared to the LBW children without these perinatal problems. It is speculated that the high incidence and the cause of enamel defects in sick preterm infants may be due to oxygen deprivation and mineral substitute depletion.

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