Predictors of neurodevelopmental outcome following bronchopulmonary dysplasia
J. M. Luchi, F. C. Bennett and J. C. Jackson
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
In infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the influence of the severity
of their pulmonary disease on neurodevelopmental outcome is unknown.
Neurodevelopmental outcomes at a mean age of 36 months were assessed in 27
premature subjects who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Subjects had a mean
birth weight of 940 g (range, 540 to 1690 g) and a mean gestational age of
27 weeks (range, 25 to 31 weeks). The duration of mechanical ventilation
ranged from 22 to 128 days, and the duration of requirement of supplemental
oxygen ranged from 34 to 1033 days. No significant correlations were found
between duration of mechanical ventilation or oxygen therapy and overall
neurodevelopmental outcome. In contrast, cranial ultrasound findings of
intracranial hemorrhage and/or periventricular echodensity related
specifically to poorer cognitive outcome. By age 3 years, severity of
bronchopulmonary dysplasia is not a sufficient predictor of
neurodevelopmental outcome. Intracranial hemorrhage and periventricular
echodensity continue to be important predictors.
