Montelukast Sodium to Prevent and Treat Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Very Preterm Infants: A Quasi-Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a prevalent chronic lung disease in preterm infants.
• Current prevention and treatment strategies for BPD remain limited.
• Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, is being investigated for its potential role in BPD management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of montelukast in preventing or treating BPD in preterm infants.
• To assess montelukast's impact on BPD incidence, respiratory support duration, and pulmonary severity.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving preterm infants with BPD risk factors.
• Infants were assigned to either a montelukast group (1 mg/kg/day) or a control group.
• Outcomes included BPD incidence, duration of respiratory support, pulmonary severity score (PSS), and adverse events.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in moderate or severe BPD incidence between groups (31.8% vs. 35%).
• Montelukast group showed shorter respiratory support duration (36.4 ± 12.8 d vs. 43.1 ± 15.9 d, p=0.037).
• Montelukast group had a significantly lower PSS at 21 days (0.56 ± 0.13 vs. 0.62 ± 0.14, p=0.048).
• No significant differences in mechanical ventilation duration, length of stay, hospitalization costs, or adverse events.

Conclusions:

• Montelukast may shorten respiratory support duration and reduce pulmonary severity in very preterm infants with BPD risk factors.
• Montelukast did not significantly alleviate BPD severity.
• Montelukast treatment was associated with no significant adverse drug events.