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The influence of small for gestational age status on outpatient bronchopulmonary dysplasia outcomes
J Johnson1, T Ryan2, A D Aherrera2
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Insights
Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) who were small for gestational age (SGA) experienced longer hospital stays and more emergency visits. This highlights increased healthcare utilization for SGA infants with BPD.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Perinatology
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease affecting preterm infants.
- Small for gestational age (SGA) is a common complication in preterm infants, potentially impacting BPD severity.
- Understanding differences between SGA and non-SGA infants with BPD is crucial for optimizing care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize infants with BPD based on SGA status.
- To compare respiratory outcomes and healthcare utilization between SGA and non-SGA infants with BPD.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 325 infants with BPD, born before 32 weeks gestation, was studied.
- Data collected included sociodemographic information and respiratory morbidity indicators.
- Methods involved questionnaires and retrospective chart reviews in an outpatient setting.
Main Results:
- SGA infants with BPD were discharged approximately one month later than non-SGA infants.
- SGA infants were more likely to be below the 10th percentile for weight at their first clinic visit.
- SGA status correlated with a higher risk of emergency department visits and caregiver-reported poor weight gain.
Conclusions:
- SGA status in infants with BPD is linked to increased healthcare utilization.
- This includes longer initial hospitalizations and a greater need for emergency department visits.
- These findings underscore the importance of monitoring SGA infants with BPD closely for resource utilization.
Objective:
To describe the characteristics of small for gestational age (SGA) and non-SGA infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and to ascertain whether respiratory outcomes and health-care utilization patterns in these two populations differ.
Study Design:
Three hundred and twenty-five infants with BPD born at <32 weeks gestation were recruited in the outpatient setting. Sociodemographic data and indicators of respiratory morbidity were collected via questionnaire and retrospective chart review.
Result:
SGA infants were on average 1 month older than non-SGA infants at discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit and were more likely to have a weight less than 10th percentile at first clinic visit. History of SGA was associated with increased risk of emergency department visits as well as with caregiver perception of poor weight gain.
Conclusion:
SGA status in infants with BPD is associated with increased health-care utilization, including length of initial hospitalization and emergency department visits.
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