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.