Are preterm infants at high altitude at greater risk for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between altitudes of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants.


METHODS
Data from infants born at <32 weeks' gestation admitted to NICUs at high altitude (2200 m above sea level) between 2002 and 2011 were analyzed and compared with the data from a lower altitude NICU in Saudi Arabia.


RESULTS
Of 942 preterm infants admitted to the high altitude NICUs, 266 (28.2%) infants developed BPD. The incidence of BPD was significantly higher in infants admitted to the NICU at high altitude than in those at lower altitude (28.2 vs. 17.7%, respectively, p = 0.003). In multivariable analysis, high altitude was significantly associated with a higher risk of BPD (odds ratio: 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.36-0.81).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that high altitude may increase the risk of BPD development among preterm infants.
Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia 61413.
Mohammed A
MA
Alshehri
D000531:Altitude; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
bronchopulmonary dysplasia; high altitude; mechanical ventilation; preterm infants; risk factors