ABSTRACT Background and Objectives Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease affecting premature infants. This study aimed to (1) examine associations between BPD severity and respiratory outcomes and healthcare utilization; (2) evaluate the impact of outpatient pediatric pulmonology follow‐up; and (3) assess whether dexamethasone administration during NICU stay influences postdischarge respiratory morbidity. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 161 infants diagnosed with BPD (2021–2023) using the 2019 BPD severity classification. Key outcomes included the prevalence of prescriptions for albuterol, inhaled corticosteroid, and systemic steroids, as well as ED visits and admission within the first‐year postdischarge. The study analyzed associations between dexamethasone use during NICU admission, outpatient pulmonology follow‐ups, and respiratory morbidity. Results Of 161 infants, 32.9% had grade‐1, 59.0% grade‐2, and 8.1% grade‐3 BPD. Dexamethasone administration during NICU admission increased with BPD severity ( p < 0.001). Pediatric pulmonology follow‐up was common in grade‐2 (77.9%) and grade‐3 (84.6%) but lower in grade‐1 (47.2%, p < 0.001). Use of inhaled medications and systemic steroids varied significantly by severity. Nearly half of the cohort (47.2%) had a hospital visit for respiratory issues postdischarge, and 22.3% required hospitalization. Conclusion This study characterizes respiratory outcomes and healthcare utilization in infants with BPD during the first‐year post‐NICU discharge. While morbidity and healthcare utilization increased with BPD severity, nearly half of the entire cohort required hospital visits, underscoring a significant disease burden even among infants with milder disease. These findings highlight the importance of structured longitudinal follow‐up across all BPD severity levels.
Brumer et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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