Predischarge Betamethasone in Infants Diagnosed With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a short betamethasone therapy course for infants diagnosed with BPD on the need of oxygen therapy after discharge home, on post-menstrual age (PMA) discharge, and on hospital readmission rates.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that included infants born and diagnosed with BPD in the Soroka University Medical Center neonatal department between 2012 and 2020. Demographic and clinical parameters were extracted from computerized medical files.

Results: Overall, 187 infants were included in the study; 151 (81%) were treated with betamethasone, of them 110 (73%) were discharged home without supplemental oxygen. Nonsignificant differences were found between infants treated with or without betamethasone regarding home oxygen supplementation at discharge (27% treated vs. 17% without, p = 0.192) and PMA at discharge (40.2 weeks treated vs. 41.2 weeks not treated, p = 0.114). Of the infants receiving betamethasone, those weaned from oxygen were discharged home at an earlier PMA (39.6 ± 5.0 vs. 42.0 ± 3.7 week, p < 0.001) and there was no difference between readmission rates due to respiratory problems of infants discharged home without oxygen supplementation to those discharged with oxygen (37/108 [34%] vs. 14/36 [39%], p = 0.615). In multivariable analysis, respiratory support at 36 weeks PMA (odds ratio: 4.4 [CI: 1.5-13.2], p < 0.009) and receiving two or more courses of betamethasone (odds ratio: 3.6 [CI: 1.2-10.5], p = 0.009) were significant predictors for need of oxygen supplementation at discharge.

Conclusions: Use of corticosteroids for infants diagnosed with BPD may shorten hospital stay by promoting weaning from oxygen therapy.