Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary insufficiency of prematurity. Lack of correlation of outcome with gas exchange abnormalities at 1 month of age
W. E. Truog, J. C. Jackson, R. J. Badura, G. K. Sorensen, J. H. Murphy and D. E. Woodrum
A review of all infants admitted to the two intensive care nurseries in
Seattle from July 1, 1980, through Dec 31, 1981, was performed to evaluate
the outcome of infants still requiring supplemental oxygen and/or
mechanical ventilation at 1 month of age. Sixty-three infants were
identified. Fifty-six infants survived to at least 2 years of age,
including 11 of 13 in the subgroup of infants requiring 40% or more oxygen
at 1 month of age. Eight (14%) of the 56 survivors have required prolonged
rehospitalization for pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses in the first
two years following birth. We conclude that the degree of gas exchange
impairment assessed at 1 month of age does not predict ultimate outcome
from neonatal chronic lung disease.
