Risk Factors for Development of Pulmonary Hypertension in Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at increased risk for development of Pulmonary Hypertension (PHT). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify risk factors for development of PHT in infants with BPD.

Study Design: A systematic review identified risk factors for the development of PHT in infants with BPD. A meta-analysis of the pooled data was performed for each individual risk factor.

Result: Of the 20 risk factors identified, 10 were repeated more than once in nine studies. Meta analysis showed that duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay, oligohydramnios, use of high frequency ventilation, small for gestational age, sepsis and severity of BPD were significant risk factors; while birth weight and gestational age were inversely related.

Conclusion: Several clinical variables are predictive of the development of PHT in infants with BPD. Prospective studies are needed to transform these risk factors into a risk-based scoring system.