Severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia - incidence and predictive factors in a prospective, multicenter study in very preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: Severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a major complication of prematurity and can have significant impact on long-term pulmonary sequelae and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Objective: To assess the incidence and evaluate the predictive factors for severe BPD in very preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

Methods: Of the 846 premature infants born at ≤32-week gestation who developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), 707 infants with known oxygen dependency at 36 weeks gestational age were included in the analysis of BPD incidence. With univariate and multiple logistic regression models we evaluated the risk factors for the development of severe BPD and calculated odds ratios (ORs).

Results: The overall incidence of BPD was 45.2%. Severe BPD accounted for 6%, with morbidity pertaining mainly to infants <29-week gestation (incidence 10%). The risk factors for severe BPD included male gender (OR 3.02 95%CI 1.30-7.46), intubation in the delivery room (OR 2.57, 95%CI 1.00-7.18), and invasive ventilation >7 days (OR 7.05, 95%CI 2.63-22.4). The protective factors were early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the univariate analysis and receiving surfactant <15 min after birth in the multivariate model.

Conclusions: Mechanical ventilation >7 days is the most prevalent risk factor for severe BPD. CPAP initiated in the delivery room and early surfactant are key preventive measures.