Introduction
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common cause of chronic
lung disease in children born prematurely(1). This condition has an
increasing incidence, mainly in low- and middle-income countries,
generating higher rates of respiratory symptoms at follow-up, and
increased healthcare utilization(2). Previous epidemiological studies
have identified prematurity, oxygen toxicity, excess fluid
administration, and mechanical ventilation as major risk factors
associated with BPD(3). Recent advances in life support, including the
use of antenatal steroids and early management with a surfactant,
increased survival in lower gestational ages, but it also increased the
incidence of BPD(4).
There is little information about the epidemiology and severity of BPD
at high altitude especially in developing countries. The knowledge of
the severity has cardinal importance in the planning of patient
follow-up, given to BPD severity levels demonstrate an adequate
correlation with structural lung changes and respiratory morbidity after
neonatal intensive critical unit (NICU) discharge (4). Knowing a priori
the variables associated with disease severity allows stratifying care
according to risk, thus ensuring more timely care with better patient
outcomes (2-4) This is even more relevant in high altitude locations
where there is less evidence and where altitude may play a key factor in
the pathogenesis of the disease. We conducted a study aimed to evaluate
the frequency of BPD severity levels and the associated risk factors
with severity in a cohort of preterm newborns without major
malformations from Rionegro, Colombia.