Henckel E, et al. - Given that inflammation is a major factor in the pathophysiology of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and it contributes to accelerated telomere shortening and cellular ageing, the researchers discovered its impact on telomere length and lung function in school-aged children born preterm with BPD. For the purpose of this study, twenty-nine children with BPD, born preterm in Stockholm county 1998–99, along with 28 children with allergic asthma born at term matched for age and gender were examined. Data reported that telomere length was similar in 10-year-old children born preterm with a history of BPD and term born children with allergic asthma, however, impaired lung function and male gender were correlated with short telomeres.