Premature birth, homeostatic plasticity and respiratory consequences of inflammation

•Infants born <26 weeks of gestation and who survive are at high risk of respiratory morbidities throughout the lifespan.•Infants born <26 weeks of gestation have premature disinhibition of the developing respiratory network.•Premature disinhibition may trigger homeostatic plasticity increasing inhibitory influences on the respiratory network.•Excessive apnea that occurs during inflammation in former premature infants may be the result of homeostatic plasticity.