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Clarithromycin in preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia in Ureaplasma urealyticum-positive preterm infants

Ramazan Ozdemir1, Omer Erdeve, Evrim Alyamac Dizdar

  • 1Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. ramazanoz@yahoo.com.tr

Pediatrics
|November 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Clarithromycin effectively prevents bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants colonized with Ureaplasma urealyticum. This antibiotic treatment significantly reduces BPD incidence in vulnerable newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a significant complication in preterm infants.
  • Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization is associated with increased BPD risk.
  • Effective preventative strategies for BPD are crucial for improving neonatal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy and safety of clarithromycin in preventing BPD.
  • To evaluate clarithromycin's impact on Ureaplasma urealyticum eradication in preterm infants.
  • To determine if clarithromycin reduces BPD incidence in Ureaplasma urealyticum-positive neonates.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving preterm infants (750-1250 g birth weight) with positive Ureaplasma urealyticum nasopharyngeal cultures.
  • Infants received either intravenous clarithromycin or a placebo.
  • Outcomes including BPD development were assessed up to 36 postmenstrual weeks.

Main Results:

  • Ureaplasma urealyticum positivity was linked to a higher BPD rate (36.4% vs 15.9%).
  • Clarithromycin achieved Ureaplasma urealyticum eradication in 68.5% of treated infants.
  • The BPD incidence was significantly lower in the clarithromycin group (2.9%) compared to placebo (36.4%).

Conclusions:

  • Clarithromycin treatment is effective in preventing BPD development.
  • The study highlights clarithromycin's independent preventive role against BPD in this high-risk infant population.
  • This finding supports the use of clarithromycin for Ureaplasma urealyticum-positive preterm infants to reduce BPD.
Abstract

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