title: Use of inhaled corticosteroids for the prevention and/or treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants: a systematic review protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inhaled steroids have been studied for both prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Results have been inconsistent. Recently, a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) has been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  We will perform a comprehensive systematic literature search for randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials that studied the efficacy and safety of inhaled corticosteroids administered to preterm infants (22-36 weeks) for either the prevention or treatment of BPD diagnosed by both clinical and physiological outcome criteria. We will assess potential risk of bias for each RCT meeting our selection criteria using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for RCTs. The primary outcome of interest will be mortality or BPD or both at 28 days postnatal age or 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Pooled estimates will be calculated using RevMan software with a random effects model as primary analysis. We will assess the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Meta-analytic estimates of eligible RCTs, potentially including a new large RCT, may significantly influence neonatal practice in the prevention and treatment of respiratory problems in preterm infants.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  PROSPERO CRD42015019628.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Ziv Medical Center, Rambam Street, Tsfat, 13100, Israel. eric.s@ziv.health.gov.il.
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Shinwell
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Ziv Medical Center, Rambam Street, Tsfat, 13100, Israel. dr.portnov@ziv.health.gov.it.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Portnov
authors.affiliation: Cochrane Germany, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Berliner Allee 29, 79110, Freiburg, Germany. meerpohl@cochrane.de.
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meerpohl
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstr. 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland. Tanja.Karen@usz.ch.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstr. 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland. Dirk.Bassler@usz.ch.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bassler
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones