Premature birth linked to lung disease later in life

A few decades ago, researchers began noticing that as the number of premature births increased, so did the number of cases of a serious lung condition in 50 to 60-year-olds.

Known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed or reduced airflow from the lungs. Symptoms can include difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath on exertion, coughing, excess mucus (sputum) production and wheezing.