Nutritional support during the first week for infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and respiratory distress: a multicenter cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major complication affecting the survival rate and long-term outcomes of preterm infants. A large, prospective, multicenter cohort study was conducted to evaluate early nutritional support during the first week of life for preterm infants with a gestational age < 32 weeks and to verify nutritional risk factors related to BPD development. METHODS: A prospective multicenter cohort study of very preterm infants was conducted in 40 tertiary neonatal intensive care units across mainland China between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. Preterm infants who were born at a gestational age < 32 weeks, < 72 h after birth and had a respiratory score > 4 were enrolled. Antenatal and postnatal information focusing on nutritional parameters was collected through medical systems. Statistical analyses were also performed to identify BPD risk factors. RESULTS: The primary outcomes were BPD and severity at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. A total of 1410 preterm infants were enrolled in this study. After applying the exclusion criteria, the remaining 1286 infants were included in this analysis; 614 (47.7%) infants were in the BPD group, and 672 (52.3%) were in the non-BPD group. In multivariate logistic regression model, the following six factors were identified of BPD: birth weight (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99-0.99; p = 0.039), day of full enteral nutrition (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04; p < 0.001), parenteral protein > 3.5 g/kg/d during the first week (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.25-2.17; p < 0.001), feeding type (formula: OR 3.48, 95% CI 2.21-5.49; p < 0.001, mixed feed: OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.36-2.70; p < 0.001; breast milk as reference), hsPDA (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.44-2.73; p < 0.001), and EUGR ats 36 weeks (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.02-1.91; p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: A longer duration to achieve full enteral nutrition in very preterm infants was associated with increased BPD development. Breastfeeding was demonstrated to have a protective effect against BPD. Early and rapidly progressive enteral nutrition and breastfeeding should be promoted in very preterm infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2000030125 on 24/02/2020) and in www.ncrcch.org (No. ISRCTN84167642 on 25/02/2020).

Association of hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 gene with the need of home oxygen therapy in premature Japanese infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has a lasting effect on the respiratory function of infants, imposing chronic health burdens. BPD is influenced by various prenatal, postnatal, and genetic factors. This study explored the connection between BPD and home oxygen therapy (HOT), and then we examined the association between HOT and a specific single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1) gene among premature Japanese infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prenatal and postnatal data from 212 premature infants were collected and analyzed by four SNPs (rs975563, rs10942332, rs179851, and rs4703570) around HAPLN1 using the TaqMan polymerase chain reaction method. The clinical characteristics and genotype frequencies of HAPLN1 were assessed and compared between HOT and non-HOT groups. RESULTS: Individuals with AA/AC genotypes in the rs4703570 SNP exhibited significantly higher HOT rates at discharge than those with CC homozygotes (odds ratio, 1.20, 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.35, p = .038). A logistic regression analysis determined that CC homozygotes in the rs4703570 SNP did not show a statistically significant independent association with HOT at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Although our study did not reveal a correlation between HAPLN1 and the onset of BPD, we observed that individuals with CC homozygosity at the rs4703570 SNP exhibit a reduced risk of HOT.

Effectiveness of extracellular vesicles derived from hiPSCs in repairing hyperoxia-induced injury in a fetal murine lung explant model.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in neonatal care, the incidence of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) remains high among preterm infants. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have shown promise in repairing injury in animal BPD models. Evidence suggests they exert their effects via paracrine mechanisms. We aim herein to assess the effectiveness of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from hiPSCs and their alveolar progenies (diPSCs) in attenuating hyperoxic injury in a preterm lung explant model. METHODS: Murine lung lobes were harvested on embryonic day 17.5 and maintained in air-liquid interface. Following exposure to 95% O2 for 24 h, media was supplemented with 5 × 106 particles/mL of EVs isolated from hiPSCs or diPSCs by size-exclusion chromatography. On day 3, explants were assessed using Hematoxylin-Eosin staining with mean linear intercept (MLI) measurements, immunohistochemistry, VEGFa and antioxidant gene expression. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA and Multiple Comparison Test. EV proteomic profiling was performed, and annotations focused on alveolarization and angiogenesis signaling pathways, as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and regenerative pathways. RESULTS: Exposure of fetal lung explants to hyperoxia induced airspace enlargement, increased MLI, upregulation of anti-oxidants Prdx5 and Nfe2l2 with decreased VEGFa expression. Treatment with hiPSC-EVs improved parenchymal histologic changes. No overt changes in vasculature structure were observed on immunohistochemistry in our in vitro model. However, VEGFa and anti-oxidant genes were upregulated with diPSC-EVs, suggesting a pro-angiogenic and cytoprotective potential. EV proteomic analysis provided new insights in regard to potential pathways influencing lung regeneration. CONCLUSION: This proof-of-concept in vitro study reveals a potential role for hiPSC- and diPSC-EVs in attenuating lung changes associated with prematurity and oxygen exposure. Our findings pave the way for a novel cell free approach to prevent and/or treat BPD, and ultimately reduce the global burden of the disease.

A Review of the Use of Extracellular Vesicles in the Treatment of Neonatal Diseases: Current State and Problems with Translation to the Clinic.

Neonatal disorders, particularly those resulting from prematurity, pose a major challenge in health care and have a significant impact on infant mortality and long-term child health. The limitations of current therapeutic strategies emphasize the need for innovative treatments. New cell-free technologies utilizing extracellular vesicles (EVs) offer a compelling opportunity for neonatal therapy by harnessing the inherent regenerative capabilities of EVs. These nanoscale particles, secreted by a variety of organisms including animals, bacteria, fungi and plants, contain a repertoire of bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential. This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the therapeutic effects of EVs and mechanistic insights into EVs from stem cells, biological fluids and non-animal sources, with a focus on common neonatal conditions such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis. This review summarizes evidence for the therapeutic potential of EVs, analyzes evidence of their mechanisms of action and discusses the challenges associated with the implementation of EV-based therapies in neonatal clinical practice.

Pulmonary Hypertension in Established Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Physiologic Approaches to Clinical Care.

Preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are prone to develop pulmonary hypertension (PH). Strong laboratory and clinical data suggest that antenatal factors, such as preeclampsia, chorioamnionitis, oligohydramnios, and placental dysfunction leading to fetal growth restriction, increase susceptibility for BPD-PH after premature birth. Echocardiogram metrics and serial assessments of NT-proBNP provide useful tools to diagnose and monitor clinical course during the management of BPD-PH, as well as monitoring for such complicating conditions as left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, shunt lesions, and pulmonary vein stenosis. Therapeutic strategies should include careful assessment and management of underlying airways and lung disease, cardiac performance, and systemic hemodynamics, prior to initiation of PH-targeted drug therapies.

Comorbidities and Late Outcomes in Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension.

Long-term outcomes of persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN) depend on disease severity, duration of ventilation, and associated anomalies. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors may have respiratory morbidities and developmental delay. The presence of PPHN is associated with increased mortality in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, though the effects on neurodevelopment are less clear. Preterm infants can develop pulmonary hypertension (PH) early in the postnatal course or later in the setting of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). BPD-PH is associated with higher mortality, particularly within the first year. Evidence suggests that both early and late PH in preterm infants are associated with neurodevelopmental impairment.

Retrospective study of serial polysomnograms of bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients with oxygen dependence.

INTRODUCTION: This retrospective study describes characteristics of serial polysomnograms (PSGs) of BPD patients on home oxygen therapy and describes PSG parameters associated with discontinuation of supplemental oxygen. METHODS: A single-center study was performed at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where serial PSGs for 44 patients with BPD infants discharged on home oxygen therapy were extracted for maximum of five PSGs or until oxygen discontinuation. Clinical and polysomnography data was collected. Characteristics of PSG1 were compared amongst the patients who were weaned from oxygen after PSG2 and PSG3. RESULTS: Of 44 patients, 68.2% of patients were males with median birth gestational age of 26 weeks (IQR: 24.6-28.1), median birthweight of 777.5 g (IQR: 632.5-1054 g) and 77.3% of the cohort had severe BPD. A total of 138 PSGs were studied between all 44 patients serially. When comparing PSG1 and PSG2 parameters, statistically significant improvement was noted in multiple parameters. Median baseline SpO2, peak RR, and average PETCO2 were found to be potential predictors of prolonged oxygen use. Gestational age and birth weight were not associated with prolonged oxygen use after PSG3. The median age of oxygen discontinuation was calculated to be about 2 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of hypoxia and tachypnea on initial infant PSG are associated with prolonged oxygen therapy past 2 years of age. Growth and development of lungs with maturation of control of breathing help improve these parameters over time regardless of BPD severity. The study may inform discussions between providers and parents for patients discharged home on oxygen therapy.

Quality improvement in the golden hour for premature infants: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Evidence-based research has shown that golden hour quality improvement (QI) measures can improve the quality of care and reduce serious complications of premature infants. Herein, we sought to review golden hour QI studies to evaluate the impact on the outcome of preterm infants. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and SinoMed databases from inception to April 03, 2023. Only studies describing QI interventions in the golden hour of preterm infants were included. Outcomes were summarized and qualitative synthesis was performed. RESULTS: Ten studies were eligible for inclusion. All studies were from single centers, of which nine were conducted in the USA and one in Israel. Seven were pre-post comparative studies and three were observational studies. Most included studies were of medium quality (80%). The most common primary outcome was admission temperatures and glucose. Five studies (n = 2308) reported improvements in the admission temperature and three studies (n = 2052) reported improvements in hypoglycemia after QI. Four studies (n = 907) showed that the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was lower in preterm infants after QI: 106/408 (26.0%) vs. 122/424(29.5%) [OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.97, p = 0.04]. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the golden hour QI bundle can improve the short-term and long-term outcomes for extremely preterm infants. There was considerable heterogeneity and deficiencies in the included studies, and the variation in impact on outcomes suggests the need to use standardized and validated measures. Future studies are needed to develop locally appropriate, high-quality, and replicable QI projects.

[A retrospective cohort study on the correlation between early energy management and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between early energy supplement and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very preterm and very low birth weight infants. Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was used. A total of 939 preterm infants who were admitted to the Department of Neonatology of the West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University within 24 h after birth from January 2019 to December 2021 were enrolled in the study. They were born with a gestational age of <32 weeks and (or) a birth weight of <1 500 g. Of them, 250 preterm infants who developed BPD were enrolled in the BPD group, and each of them was matched to a preterm infant who did not develop BPD (matched for gestational age and birth weight) in the order of priority after calculating propensity score. Their total energy, enteral energy, parenteral energy, total fluid intake and energy per unit of fluid per week were collected within the first 2 weeks of life. The independent sample t-test or Mann Whitney U test was used for continuous variables, and the χ2 test for between-group comparisons of categorical variables. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between total energy and total fluid and BPD incidence, respectively. The dose-response relationship between parenteral energy and BPD was investigated by a generalized additive model, and the threshold effect of parenteral energy on BPD used a two-piecewise linear regression model. Results: The gestational age was (28.4±1.9) weeks in the BPD group and (29.5±1.3) weeks in the control group; the birth weight was (1 107±258) g in the BPD group and (1 324±261) g in the control group; and there were 140 males (56.0%) and 131 males (52.4%) in each group, respectively. An increase in energy per unit of fluid in the second week of life was associated with a reduced risk of BPD (OR=0.32, 95%CI 0.12-0.84, P=0.021), and an increase in total energy in the second week of life was also associated with a reduced risk of BPD, with total energy of >418-502 kJ/(kg·d) was significantly lower than when total energy was ≤334 kJ/(kg·d) (OR=0.15, 95%CI 0.03-0.85, P=0.033). There was no association between the average total fluid intake and BPD incidence (both P>0.05) in the first and second week. The increase in the proportion of parenteral energy to total energy in the second week of life was associated with an increased incidence of BPD (OR=8.45, 95%CI 2.14-33.32, P=0.003); specifically, the risk of BPD significantly increased when the parenteral energy was ≥305 kJ/(kg·d) (OR=1.02, 95%CI 1.01-1.03, P=0.003). Conclusions: Maintaining a high total energy supply in the early postnatal period in preterm infants may reduce the risk of BPD, but continued reliance on high parenteral energy to meet total energy requirements increases the risk of BPD, so enteral feeds should be initiated as early as possible and maximized as tolerated.

Types of home respiratory support in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and factors determining its duration: A scoping review.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia also known as chronic lung disease of prematurity has changed as a disease entity over the last five decades and children with "new bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)" have better survival rates. This necessitates strategies to prevent severe BPD and provide organized home support. Home respiratory support in these children varies from home oxygen to noninvasive ventilation and tracheostomy ventilation. This review was conducted utilizing Joanna Briggs Institute publications on evidence synthesis and presentation of results for a scoping review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses were used to report the results. The risk of bias assessment was done using "The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews tool for interventional studies." After screening for the duplication of results and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, twenty-seven studies were assessed by reading the full texts. Out of these, eleven were finally included in this systematic review. The total sample size from all studies was 4794, including 2705 males. The 4/11 studies home oxygen, one study reported continuous positive airway pressure/bilevel positive airway pressure and seven studies used tracheostomy or tracheostomy ventilation. The median duration of post-natal invasive ventilation was higher in those discharged on home oxygen compared to those who did not need oxygen at discharge. There is a significant proportion of children who are tracheostomy ventilated (8.65%) at home. In the absence of established guidelines, these children are vulnerable when it comes to care at home and the timing of decannulation. For home oxygen alone, guidelines by ERS, ATS and BTS have streamlined weaning protocols and the need for having a multi-disciplinary team to care for these children.

[Characteristics of the fetal and infant respiratory system : What the pediatric anesthetist should know]. / Besonderheiten des fetalen und kindlichen Atmungssystems : Was der/die (Kinder­)Anästhesist*in wissen sollte.

Respiratory complications are the most frequent incidents in pediatric anesthesia after cardiac events. The pediatric respiratory physiology and airway anatomy are responsible for the particular respiratory vulnerability in this stage of life. This article explains the aspects of pulmonary embryogenesis relevant for anesthesia and their impact on the respiration of preterm infants and neonates. The respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are highlighted as well as the predisposition to apnea of preterm infants and neonates. Due to the anatomical characteristics, the low size ratios and the significantly shorter apnea tolerance, airway management in children frequently represents a challenge. This article gives useful assistance and provides an overview of formulas for calculating the appropriate tube size and depth of insertion. Finally, the pathophysiology and adequate treatment of laryngospasm are explained.

Retrospective analysis of referrals for hypoxic challenge testing in children born preterm.

INTRODUCTION: Children with a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) may be at risk of hypoxaemia at altitude, such as during air travel. We have performed preflight hypoxic challenge testing (HCT) since 2006, incorporating British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidance since 2011, to determine which children may require oxygen during air travel. AIMS: We aimed to compare the outcome of HCTs in children with a history of BPD who met the 2011 BTS criteria and those who did not and, in addition to this, to interrogate the data for factors that may predict the outcome of HCT in this population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from HCTs of children with a history of BPD referred 2006-2020. Cases were excluded if the patient had a respiratory comorbidity, was still on oxygen therapy, if the test was a repeat or if the clinical record was incomplete. Descriptive and univariate analysis of the data was performed, and a binary logistic regression model was fitted. RESULTS: There were 79 HCTs, of which 24/79 (30%) did not meet BTS 2011 guidelines referral criteria. The analysis showed a greater proportion of desaturation in the group that did not meet criteria: 46% vs 27% (no statistical significance). Baseline oxygen saturations were higher in those who did not require oxygen during HCT and this variable was significant when adjusted for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the current criteria for referral for preflight testing may incorrectly identify those most at risk and highlights the need for further investigation to ensure those most at risk are being assessed prior to air travel.

Transpyloric feeding is associated with adverse in-hospital outcomes in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association of transpyloric feeding (TPF) with the composite outcome of tracheostomy or death for patients with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (sBPD). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multi-center cohort study of preterm infants <32 weeks with sBPD receiving enteral feedings. We compared infants who received TPF at 36, 44, or 50 weeks post-menstrual age to those who did not receive TPF at any of those timepoints. Odds ratios were adjusted for gestational age, small for gestational age, male sex, and invasive ventilation and FiO2 at 36 weeks. RESULTS: Among 1039 patients, 129 (12%) received TPF. TPF was associated with an increased odds of tracheostomy or death (aOR 3.5, 95% CI 2.0-6.1) and prolonged length of stay or death (aOR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9-5.2). CONCLUSIONS: Use of TPF in sBPD after 36 weeks was infrequent and associated with worse in-hospital outcomes, even after adjusting for respiratory severity at 36 weeks.

Extracellular Vesicles From Mesenchymal Umbilical Cord Cells Exert Protection Against Oxidative Stress and Fibrosis in a Rat Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Oxidative stress and fibrosis are important stress responses that characterize bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a disease for which only a therapy but not a cure has been developed. In this work, we investigated the effects of mesenchymal stromal cells-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) on lung and brain compartment in an animal model of hyperoxia-induced BPD. Rat pups were intratracheally injected with MSC-EVs produced by human umbilical cord-derived MSC, following the Good Manufacturing Practice-grade (GMP-grade). After evaluating biodistribution of labelled MSC-EVs in rat pups left in normoxia and hyperoxia, oxidative stress and fibrosis investigation were performed. Oxidative stress protection by MSC-EVs treatment was proved both in lung and in brain. The lung epithelial compartment ameliorated glycosaminoglycan and surfactant protein expression in MSC-EVs-injected rat pups compared to untreated animals. Pups under hyperoxia exhibited a fibrotic phenotype in lungs shown by increased collagen deposition and also expression of profibrotic genes. Both parameters were reduced by treatment with MSC-EVs. We established an in vitro model of fibrosis and another of oxidative stress, and we proved that MSC-EVs suppressed the induction of αSMA, influencing collagen deposition and protecting from the oxidative stress. In conclusion, intratracheal administration of clinical-grade MSC-EVs protect from oxidative stress, improves pulmonary epithelial function, and counteracts the development of fibrosis. In the future, MSC-EVs could represent a new cure to prevent the development of BPD.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia in adults: Exploring pathogenesis and phenotype.

This review highlights both the longstanding impact of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) on the health of adult survivors of prematurity and the pressing need for prospective, longitudinal studies of this population. Conservatively, there are an estimated 1,000,000 survivors of BPD in the United States alone. Unfortunately, most of the available literature regarding outcomes of lung disease due to prematurity naturally focuses on pediatric patients in early or middle childhood, and the relative amount of literature on adult survivors is scant. As the number of adult survivors of BPD continues to increase, it is essential that both adult and pediatric pulmonologists have a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology and underlying disease process, including the molecular signaling pathways and pro-inflammatory modulators that contribute to the pathogenesis of BPD. We summarize the most common presenting symptoms for adults with BPD and identify the critical challenges adult pulmonologists face in managing the care of survivors of prematurity. Specifically, these challenges include the wide variability of the clinical presentation of adult patients, comorbid cardiopulmonary complications, and the paucity of longitudinal data available on these patients. Adult survivors of BPD have even required lung transplantation, indicating the high burden of morbidity that can result from premature birth and subsequent lung injury. In addition, we analyze the disparate symptoms and management approach to adults with "old" BPD versus "new" BPD. The aim of this review is to assist pulmonologists in understanding the underlying pathophysiology of BPD and to improve clinical recognition of this increasingly common pulmonary disease.

Research hotspots and emerging trends in mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a prevalent lung disease in neonates that is associated with numerous complications and high mortality. The promising approach to treat BPD is the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), However, the current treatment of MSCs presents safety concerns, including occlusion of blood vessels and tumorigenicity. In this study, relevant publications from the Web of Science Core Collection were downloaded in January 2023. The acquired data were analyzed and predicted for trends and hotspots in this field using CiteSpace software. Results revealed that in recent years, the focus of co-cited references has been primarily on the clinical studies of MSCs and the application of MSCs derivatives for treating BPD models. The keywords that have gained attention are extracellular vesicles and exosomes. The United States has emerged as the most influential co-authoring country in this field. Among the co-cited journals, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine holds the highest influence. Thus, this study provides trends in publications, collaboration, research interests, and hotspots, and provides clues for novel ideas and strategies in to further MSCs treatments for BPD.

Nutritional Needs of the Infant with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Growth failure is a common problem in infants with established bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Suboptimal growth for infants with BPD is associated with unfavorable respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes; however, high-quality evidence to support best nutritional practices are limited for this vulnerable patient population. Consequently, there exists a wide variation in the provision of nutritional care and monitoring of growth for infants with BPD. Other neonatal populations at risk for growth failure, such as infants with congenital heart disease, have demonstrated improved growth outcomes with the creation and compliance of clinical protocols to guide nutritional management. Developing clinical protocols to guide nutritional management for infants with BPD may similarly improve long-term outcomes. Given the absence of high-quality trials to guide nutritional practice in infants with BPD, the best available evidence of systematic reviews and clinical recommendations can be applied to optimize growth and decrease variation in the care of these infants.

Family Integrated Care Shortens the Duration of Home Oxygen Therapy in Infants With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: There have been few reports on whether family integrated care (FIC) can help premature infants with moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) to shorten the duration of home oxygen therapy (HOT). PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of FIC on the duration of HOT in premature infants with moderate to severe BPD. METHODS: The subjects were retrospectively selected from premature infants with moderate to severe BPD in our center between June 2019 and December 2021. Patients were divided into the FIC group (n = 47) and the non-FIC group (n = 34). For univariate analysis, t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson χ 2 test, or Fisher exact test was performed to explore the differences between the 2 groups. For multivariate analysis, simple and multiple linear regression was conducted to explore the effect of FIC on the duration of HOT. RESULTS: (1) The duration of HOT and length of stay after grouping were significantly shorter in the FIC group than in the non-FIC group ( P < .05). (2) The results of linear regression further revealed that FIC could significantly shorten the duration of HOT (simple linear regression, FIC [A] B : -12.709, 95% confidence interval (CI): -21.665 to -3.753; multiple linear regression, FIC [B] B : -11.419, 95% CI: -18.055 to -4.783). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: FIC improved the optimal target oxygen saturation ratio before discharge and shortened the duration of HOT in premature infants with moderate and severe BPD. FIC should be promoted in China's neonatal intensive care units, though it puts forward new requirements for nursing education and training.

The possible role of artificial intelligence in deciding postnatal steroid management in extremely premature ventilated infants.

Clinical decision support (CDS) has shown a positive effect on physicians. There is variability among physicians about using postnatal steroids (PNS) in preterm (PT) infants. It is, therefore, essential to develop tools supporting the decision to use PNS in PT infants. We propose a model using online tools such as CDS in deciding to use PNS in PT infants. We combined the online bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) estimator and extubation success calculator tools to be used as a simple bedside tool assisting decisions about using PNS in ventilated PT infants.