BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA - OUTCOME AT 2 YEARS OF AGE OF 88 CHILDRENBORN BETWEEN 1984 AND 1988

Background. The survival and outcome of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BD) depend on the patient's maturity, the severity of the B D and nutritional problems. This study evaluates the specific role of chronic pulmonary failure in the growth and development of infants rec overing from BD. Population and methods. 88 infants admitted for BD fr om January 1984 to December 1988, having gestational age from 25 to 41 weeks 5 days (mean : 29) and birth weight from 680 to 3 400 g (mean : 1,195) were studied. All infants were given respiratory support for 6 to 914 days (mean 84) and oxygen therapy for 28 to 1,232 days (mean : 119). 29 infants were given corticosteroids for more than 1 month. Th e outcome of the 80 infants with gestational ages of less than 33 week s was compared to that of 272 infants with the same gestational age bu t not suffering from BD on their 28th day. The infants in both groups were examined at 2 years of age and classified as: a) handicapped (neu rologic deficit, IQ <80, hearing loss, blindness, convulsions), b) dou btful (transitory neurology dysfunction), c) normal. Results. Of the 8 8 infants still living at the age of 28 days, 19 died before the age o f 2 years : 16 of the 64 surviving infants who could be followed until the age of 2 years were classified as handicapped, 13 were considered doubtful and 35 were normal. The more significant risk factors for ne urodevelopmental impairment were: a) the presence of porencephaly and/ or ventricular dilatation on brain ultrasonography, b) head circumfere nce <- 2 SD at the end of hospital stay, c) oxygen therapy and hospita lization >5-6 months. The group of infants with BD had a higher death rate (24 % vs 3.7 in the group without BD) and more frequent neurodeve lopmental impairment at gestational ages of >31-32 weeks. Conclusions. BD is an extra risk for the survival and neurodevelopment of infants with gestational age >31 weeks.