AIM: To examine the population pattern of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), death and composite outcome (BPD/death) in preterm infants in Australia. METHODS: A retrospective population study using linked statewide health administrative data between 2005 and 2015 to estimate the incidence of BPD, death and composite outcome stratified by gestation: extremely preterm (EPT), very preterm (VPT) and moderate-to-late preterm (MPT). Associated risk factors were analysed using generalized estimating equation logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 1 047 885 live births, 73 314 (7%) were preterm, of whom 1906 died and 1898 developed BPD (25.9/1000). BPD incidence was highest in EPT (324.6/1000), followed by VPT (89.7/1000) and MPT (1.5/1000) infants. Annual BPD incidence increased from 23.5 (in 2005) to 28.0/1000 (in 2015) (p < 0.001), while composite outcome marginally decreased from 55.3 to 46.3/1000 (p = 0.629), driven by reduced mortality (32.5 to 18.8/1000) (p < 0.001). Among 10 407 < 32 weeks infants, risk factors for BPD, death and composite outcomes were born EPT (aOR ranging 8.5-13.35), assisted vaginal/breech delivery (aOR 1.25-1.41), small-for-gestational-age (aOR 3.27-3.88), male sex (aOR 1.21-1.42) and had low 5-min APGAR score (aOR 1.64-12.47). CONCLUSION: The rising BPD incidence, predominantly among EPT survivors, was offset by reduced overall preterm mortality. Findings call for healthcare planning to cater for increased BPD survivors.
Mah‐E‐Muneer et al. (2026) studied this question.