Intrauterine smoke exposure: a new risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of intrauterine smoke exposure and other variables on the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in infants with birth weight < 1500 g (VLBW).


METHODS
This case-control study investigated 277 VLBW infants (141 cases, 136 controls) admitted at birth to neonatal intensive care unit and survived to discharge. A retrospective telephone interview provided detailed parental information supplementing clinical data. Logistic regression assessed the effects of birth weight < 1000 g, gestational age < 30 weeks (GA<30), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), neonatal mechanical ventilation > 7 days (MV>7), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), intrauterine smoke exposure > or = 3 months (ISE), and of parental history of asthma on BPD (oxygen dependency at 28 days with characteristic radiographic abnormalities) occurrence.


RESULTS
Including all variables, only GA<30, RDS and MV>7 were significantly associated with BPD. ISE did not contribute significantly to this model (odds ratio [OR] 1.94; 95% confidence interval 0.88-4.26). Excluding iatrogenic variable MV>7, GA<30, RDS, PDA and ISE (OR 2.21; 95% confidence interval 1.03-4.76) were significantly associated with BPD. Analyzing GA as a continuous variable, the OR was 0.63 for each additional week.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged mechanical ventilation, RDS and low gestational age were the major BPD determinants. Intrauterine smoke exposure seems to influence independently BPD development.
Antonucci
Roberto
R
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. roant@tiscalinet.it
Contu
Paolo
P
Porcella
Annalisa
A
Atzeni
Catia
C
Chiappe
Stefano
S
D001724:Birth Weight; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*