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Predischarge Betamethasone in Infants Diagnosed With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Tal-El Ernest1, Doreen Ozalvo1, Orna Staretz-Chacham1

  • 1Neonatal Department and Faculty of Health Sciences, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|July 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

A short betamethasone therapy course for infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) may help wean them from oxygen, potentially shortening hospital stays. Further research is needed to confirm these findings for BPD treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease in premature infants.
  • Oxygen therapy and hospital readmissions are common complications of BPD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of a short betamethasone course on oxygen therapy needs post-discharge.
  • To assess the effect on post-menstrual age (PMA) at discharge and hospital readmission rates for infants with BPD.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 187 infants diagnosed with BPD between 2012 and 2020.
  • Data extracted from computerized medical records, including demographic and clinical parameters.
  • Analysis compared infants treated with and without betamethasone.

Main Results:

  • 151 infants received betamethasone; 110 were discharged without supplemental oxygen.
  • No significant differences in home oxygen use or PMA at discharge between groups.
  • Infants weaned from oxygen on betamethasone were discharged earlier (39.6 weeks).
  • Respiratory support at 36 weeks PMA and multiple betamethasone courses predicted oxygen need at discharge.

Conclusions:

  • Betamethasone therapy may facilitate oxygen weaning in BPD infants.
  • Corticosteroid use might contribute to shorter hospital stays for BPD patients.
Abstract

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