Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in a Tertiary Level Neonatal Unit of North India: Risk Factors and Outcome: A Case-control Study

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm neonates is a dreadful complication that increases the length of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, increases the cost of treatment, and poses long-term respiratory morbidity. Methods: This was a case-control study to determine risk factors for BPD among preterm neonates (gestational age <32 weeks). Also, the proportion of BPD neonates developing secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), vitamin D levels, and their outcomes were studied. Results: Of 70 neonates with a mean birth weight of 1392 ± 544.28 grams and a mean gestational age of 30.14 ± 1.12 weeks, 35 cases of BPD (mild 42%, moderate 27%, severe 31%) and 35 controls were enrolled. After multivariate analysis, SGA (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 12.6 with 95% CI 1.5-109.3; 0.022), lack of antenatal steroids (AOR 9.4 with 95% CI 1.8-50.7; 0.009), mechanical ventilation [MV] within the first 48 hours of life (AOR 8.7 with 95% CI 1.4-54.1; 0.021), and lack of surfactant administration (AOR 16.5% CI 3-89.1; 0.005) were independent risk factors. No significant difference was reported in vitamin D levels between BPD and non-BPD neonates (33.89 ± 22.50 ng/mL vs. 27.00 ± 8.17 ng/mL; 0.356). 14.3 % of BPD neonates expired, and 23% developed PAH. Neonates had a longer NICU stay than controls (46.66 ± 7.96 vs. 21 ± 8.82 days; <0.001) Conclusion: We found SGA, lack of antenatal steroids, MV, and lack of surfactant administration to be independent risk factors for BPD. BPD neonates had dismal outcomes (one-fourth expired and left against medical advice), and one-fifth had PAH among survivors, increasing the length of their NICU stay.