Neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) – A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants born < 29 weeks gestation with/without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Study design

Preterm infants < 29 weeks’ gestation born 2007–2018 in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia, were included. Infants who died < 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age and those with major congenital anomalies were excluded. Subjects were assessed at 18–42 months corrected age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd edition.

Results

1436 infants without BPD (non-BPD) and 1189 infants with BPD were followed. The BPD group, 69 % infants were discharged without respiratory support (BPD1), 29 % on oxygen (BPD2) and 2 % on pressure support/tracheostomy (BPD3). Moderate neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) was evident in 5.7 % of non-BPD infants, 11 % BPD1, 15 % BPD2, 15 % BPD3 infants. Severe NDI was seen in 1.7 % non-BPD infants, 3.4 % BPD1, 7.3 % BPD2, 35 % BPD3 infants. After adjusting for confounders, infants with BPD2 (OR 2.24, 99.9 % CI 1.25 to 5.77) or BPD3 (OR 5.99, 99.9 % CI 1.27 to 46.77) were more likely to have moderate-severe NDI compared to non-BPD infants.

Conclusion

The majority of infants with BPD were discharged home without respiratory support and had better neurocognitive outcomes in early childhood compared to those that required home-based oxygen or respiratory support.