Outpatient Respiratory Outcomes in Extremely Preterm Children during the
first three years of life.
Abstract
Rationale: Extremely preterm infants are at highest risk for
developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This study aimed to examine
the relationship between gestational age and respiratory outcomes in
children with BPD in the outpatient setting. Methods: Data were
collected from 1,025 preterm children with BPD recruited from outpatient
bronchopulmonary (BPD) clinics at Johns Hopkins and Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia (CHOP). Extremely preterm children (22-24 and 25-27
weeks gestation) were compared to a reference group of very preterm
children (28 to 32 weeks gestation). Data were analyzed using Chi-square
tests, t-tests, and ANOVA tests. Results: Infants born at
<25 weeks gestation were more likely to have severe BPD
(71.9%), be discharged on supplemental oxygen (50.7%), have public
insurance, and self-report as Black (60.4%) compared to those born
>25 weeks. In the outpatient setting, extremely preterm
children (22-24 weeks gestation) had a higher likelihood of activity
limitation (OR 1.72) compared to very preterm infants. Hispanic
children, regardless of gestational age, were more likely to have sick
visits (OR 2.09) and a hospital admission (OR 2.15) compared to
non-Hispanic children. Children with public insurance had a higher
likelihood of ED visits (OR 1.48), hospital admissions (OR 1.49),
systemic steroid use (OR 1.39), nighttime respiratory symptoms (OR
1.66), and activity limitations (OR 1.61) compared to privately insured
children. Conclusions: After initial hospital discharge,
extremely preterm children (22-24 weeks gestation) have a higher
likelihood of activity limitation. However, other factors including
race/ethnicity and public insurance are more likely driving outpatient
respiratory outcomes regardless of gestational age.