Identifying predictors of tracheostomy or death in preterm infants with grade 3 BPD. J Perinatol 2026 Jul;46(7):1252-1258
Date
04/23/2026Pubmed ID
42020767DOI
10.1038/s41372-026-02702-0Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105037657613 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify novel risk factors associated with tracheostomy in preterm infants with Grade 3 bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
STUDY DESIGN: Single-center retrospective cohort of infants with Grade 3 BPD (mechanical ventilation at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age) from 2019 to 2025. Data included extubation attempts, corticosteroid and neuromuscular blockade use, mean airway pressure (MAP) and respiratory severity scores (RSS) at 36 and 40 weeks. Infants who received tracheostomy or died were compared to those successfully extubated.
RESULTS: Of 60 infants, 37% underwent tracheostomy. Patients requiring tracheostomy had higher MAP (17 vs. 12 cm H₂O) and RSS (6 vs. 4) at 40 weeks, with no difference at 36 weeks. Patients requiring tracheostomy experienced more steroid courses, need for neuromuscular blockade, and failed extubations.
CONCLUSIONS: Number of steroid courses, neuromuscular blockade, and ventilator settings at 40 weeks were associated with tracheostomy placement. These variables could inform future data collection strategies for infants with severe BPD.
Author List
Scott W, Berlin K, Lagatta J, Gupta RAuthors
Kathryn Berlin DO Assistant Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinRuby Gupta MBBS Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Joanne M. Lagatta MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Airway ExtubationBronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Male
Neuromuscular Blockade
Respiration, Artificial
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Severity of Illness Index
Tracheostomy
