Risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonates born at ≤1500 g (1999-2009)

Background: Advances in perinatal care have improved the survival rate for very low-birthweight (VLBW) infants in China. The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), however, has not been reduced. The objective of the present study was to identify the perinatal risk factors for BPD in neonates born at <= 1500 g. Methods: Aretrospective analysis of data for neonates born at 21500 g between 1999 and 2009 in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou city, China, was carried out. Results: Out of a total of 11 506 live births, 3538 infants were admitted to level II nursery and NICU (level III nursery). Among 149 preterm infants born at 21500 g, 77.8% survived until day 28, and the incidence of BPD was 48.3%. Logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age (GA) 230 weeks (odds ratio [ OR], 9.507; 95% confidence intervals [ 95% CI]: 2.604-34.707), maternal chorioamnionitis (OR, 41.987; 95% CI: 6.048-291.492), ventilation-associated pneumonia (OR, 11.600; 95% CI: 2.847-47.268), and more than three blood transfusions (OR, 10.214; 95% CI: 2.191-47.623) were associated with the development of BPD. Conclusion: Clinical evidence has been provided for possibly significant risk factors associated with BPD in neonates born at 21500 g, which can provide useful information for further research to improve survival of VLBW infants and decrease the incidence of BPD.