Use of azithromycin for the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial.

Objective: Since preventive therapies for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are limited we treated preterm infants with azithromycin to decrease the incidence of BPD.

Methods: Infants less than 1,250 g birth weight were randomized to azithromycin or placebo within 12 hr of beginning mechanical ventilation and within 72 hr of birth. The treatment group received azithromycin 10 mg/kg/day for 7 days followed by 5 mg/kg/day for a maximum of 6 weeks.