Risk Factors and Prognosis of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD) may further increase in the coming decade as advances in neonatal intensive care enable clinicians to save even smaller, younger and more critically ill infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors and prognosis associated with BPD in premature infants. METHODS: The retrospective review on RDS infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care units at the Chonnam University Hospital was done from Jan. 1995 to July. 1997. These infants were divided into two groups, BPD group(n=25) and non-BPD group(n= 112). The incidence, risk factors and therapeutic results of BPD were analyzed. RESULTS: Infants in the BPD group had lower birth weight, gestational age, and lower 1 min Apgar score compared to that of infants in the control group. The incidence of BPD was 18.2Yo and was higher in male infants. Longer duration of oxygen, ventilatory support and higher PIP were noted in the BPD group. There were no significant differences between the two groups concerning duration of postnatal requirement of oxygen supplementation, ventilatory support, and ventilatory parameters such as FiO2 and PEEP. The incidences of PDA and pneumothorax mean fluid volume and weight loss were similar in two groups. Frequent episodes of respiratory infection occurred(31.6%) in BPD group and one patient expired during 6 to 12 month follow up. 22 infants(88%) received dexamethasone in BPD group. Side effects of dexamethasone including hypertension and hyperglycemia occurred in 59.1% and 31.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of BPD was 18.2% and the risk factors for BPD included lower birth weight and gestational age, lower Apgar score at 1 minute, longer duration of oxygen and ventilatory support with higher PIP.