Alshehri MA. Are preterm infants at high altitude at greater risk for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia?
J Trop Pediatr 2014;
60:68-73. [PMID:
24072557 DOI:
10.1093/tropej/fmt079]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
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).
CONCLUSION
Findings suggest that high altitude may increase the risk of BPD development among preterm infants.
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