Prevalence, Severity Patterns and Risk Factors of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Preterm Infants less than 32 weeks of Gestation in a Tertiary Centre in Oman

Objectives: To determine the rate, severity patterns of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and to identify antenatal and postnatal factors associated with BPD in preterm infants < 32 weeks of gestational age (GA). Methods: This study included preterm neonates < 32 weeks of gestation admitted into NICU between January 2010 and December 2017. A data set of antenatal and perinatal factors were collected. BPD was defined as need for oxygen and/or respiratory support at 36 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA). Infants with and without BPD were compared in their antenatal and perinatal factors. Results: A total of 589 preterm infants < 32 weeks were admitted, 505 (86%) survived to 36 weeks' PMA and 90 (17.8%) had BPD. The combined BPD and mortality rate was 28.4%. Grade I, II and III BPD constituted 77.8%, 7.8%, and 14.4%, respectively. BPD was associated with lower GA, lower birth weight, need for intubation at resuscitation, lower Apgar scores, longer duration of ventilation, surfactant therapy, and higher rates of neonatal morbidities. On binary logistic regression analysis, predictors of BPD were longer duration of ventilation, IVH, and NEC. Conclusion: In an Omani center, 17.8% of preterm infants (<32 weeks GA) developed BPD. Various perinatal and neonatal factors were associated with BPD; however, longer duration of ventilation, IVH grades I and II, and NEC stages II and III were the significant predictors. Future multicenter research is necessary to provide the overall prevalence of BPD in Oman, to help in optimizing the resources for BPD prevention and management. Keywords: Infant; Premature; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; Risk Factors