Clinical Usefulness of the New Definition of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) using the newly proposed definition for BPD and investigate the relationship between the severity of BPD by new definition and clinical severity of illness and radiographic change. METHODS: We selected very low birth weight infants <1,500 g with gestational age <32 weeks born in the Bun-Dang Seoul National University Hospital from June 2003 to May 2005. The datas were categorized in four weight groups, <751, 751 to 1,000, 1,001 to 1,250 and 1,251 to 1,500 g and the incidence of BPD was computed in survivors based on the oxygen need at postnatal 28 days and 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Further, BPD-associated comorbidities and radiographic changes at 36 weeks PMA were compared among the groups defined by the new severity of BPD criteria. RESULTS: Among VLBW <1,500 g, the incidence of BPD at 28 days and 36 weeks PMA were 67 and 39%, respectively. Using the newly defined criteria, the incidence of mild, moderate and severe BPD were 29, 33 and 6%, respectively. Associated comorbidities correlated significantly with severity of BPD. Significantly longer hospital stay, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, higher score of radiography at 36 weeks PMA was observed with increasing severity of BPD. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of BPD by new definition significantly related to clinical severity and radiographic changes. Whether it will have a role in predicting long-term pulmonologic and neurologic outcome remains to be determined.