Below median birth weight in appropriate-for-gestational-age preterm infants as a risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the presence of chorioamnionitis and intrauterine growth as prenatal risk factors for broncho pulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants of <28 weeks' gestation.


METHODS
Gender, race, birth weight, gestational age, histology of the placenta, diagnosis of BPD at 36 weeks' gestation, postnatal dexamethasone treatment, and death were recorded in 150 preterm infants born at <28 weeks' gestation, and admitted between 1996 and 2001.


RESULTS
In 122 AGA infants (mean gestational age: 26.18 weeks, mean birth weight: 837 g), BPD was associated with gestational age-related birth weights below the 50(th) centile. Intrauterine growth deceleration started between 25 and 26 weeks' gestation. Chorioamnionitis was not related to BPD.


CONCLUSIONS
AGA infants of 26-28 weeks' gestation with birth weights below the median showed an increased risk of developing BPD.
Kewitz
Gabriele
G
Perinatal Center, CBF, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany. gabi.kewitz@gmx.net
Wudel
Stefan
S
Hopp
Hartmut
H
Hopfenmüller
Werner
W
Vogel
Martin
M
Roots
Ivar
I
D001724:Birth Weight; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000473:pathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone