The use of inhaled corticosteroids in chronically ventilated preterm infants

Leif D. Nelin, J. Wells Logan

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most usual reason for preterm infants to require chronic mechanical ventilation. Inflammation is a key factor underlying the lung injury leading to the development of BPD, and the rationale for use of corticosteroids in the management of ventilator-dependent preterm infants is based on their anti-inflammatory effects. Because systemic corticosteroids are associated with significant adverse effects in preterm infants, attention has turned to the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as a potentially safer therapy for BPD. The aim of this review is to discuss what is known about the efficacy and safety of ICS in chronically ventilated preterm infants. However, this has been a challenge since there is a paucity of high-grade evidence for the use of ICS in these patients. Thus, there is a real need for well-powered randomized controlled trials examining short- and long-term outcomes of ICS use in this population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)296-301
Number of pages6
JournalSeminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
Volume22
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2017

Keywords

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
  • Mechanical ventilation
  • Neonatal intensive care
  • Prematurity
  • Pulmonary function

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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