Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
September 2006
Objective: To determine, in prematurely born children who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), if respiratory morbidity, healthcare utilisation, and cost of care during the preschool years were influenced by use of supplementary oxygen at home after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit.
Design: Observational study.
Setting: Four tertiary neonatal intensive care units.
Background: In prematurely born infants with chronic lung disease (CLD), RSV hospitalisation is associated with increased health service utilisation and costs in the first two years after birth.
Aims: To determine whether RSV hospitalisation in the first two years was associated with chronic respiratory morbidity during the preschool years in prematurely born children who had had CLD.
Methods: Retrospective review of readmissions, outpatient attendances, and community care in years 2-4 and, at age 5 years, assessment of the children's respiratory status and their health related quality of life.