Approximately 8% of all births occur between 30-36 weeks of gestation ('moderate-late' prematurity). Respiratory tract infections (RTI) and wheezing illnesses disproportionally affect preterm infants resulting in a 1.5-2 fold higher hospitalisation rate during the first years of life compared to term born children. Besides prematurity, several other postnatal modifiable influencing factors are associated with increased risk of respiratory morbidity and impaired pulmonary development. These factors include RTI, rapid weight gain, air pollution, tobacco smoke exposition, vitamin D deficiency, maternal stress and antibiotic usage. The investigators hypothesize that a follow-up program aiming at prevention of modifiable influencing factors can reduce respiratory morbidity in moderate and late prematurity. Objectives: To reduce respiratory disease burden in moderate-late preterm infants in the first 18 months of life
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Number of lower Respiratory Tract Infections (RTI)
Timeframe: 18 months of life
Number of wheezing episodes
Timeframe: 18 months of life