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Published on: March 12, 2020

Regional variation on rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and associated risk factors

María Ximena Rojas1, Mario Augusto Rojas, Juan Manuel Lozano

  • 1Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110001, D.C., Colombia.

ISRN Pediatrics
|July 26, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia affects 44% of premature infants in Colombia. Risk factors include prematurity complications and high altitude, suggesting altitude may increase dysplasia risk.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • High incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (44%) observed in premature infants in Colombia.
  • Significant regional variations in bronchopulmonary dysplasia rates noted across different cities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Identify risk factors contributing to the high incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
  • Investigate potential causes for regional variations in disease rates.
  • Test the hypothesis that city-specific population characteristics or early respiratory management explain rate differences.

Main Methods:

  • Case-control study design.
  • Multivariate analysis to assess risk factors.
  • Comparison of cases and controls across different cities of birth.

Main Results:

  • Identified risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia: premature rupture of membranes, mechanical ventilation post-CPAP, lack of early surfactant, rescue surfactant use, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, and median daily FIO2.
  • Significant differences in risk factors observed between cities.
  • Birth in the highest altitude city (Bogotá) was associated with increased risk (OR 1.82).

Conclusions:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is primarily linked to established risk factors.
  • Altitude emerges as a significant factor potentially increasing bronchopulmonary dysplasia risk.
  • Prenatal steroid use did not demonstrate a protective effect at high altitudes.

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