Abstract
Objective This study aims to develop a scoring system for the prediction of bronchopulmonary
dysplasia (BPD).
Methods Medical records of 652 infants whose gestational age and birth weight were below
32 weeks and 1,500 g, respectively, and who survived beyond 28th postnatal day were
reviewed retrospectively. Logistic regression methods were used to determine the clinical
and demographic risk factors within the first 72 hours of life associated with BPD,
as well as the weights of these factors on developing BPD. Predictive accuracy of
the scoring system was tested prospectively at the same unit.
Results Birth weight, gestational age, gender, presence of respiratory distress syndrome,
patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypotension were the most important
risk factors for BPD. Therefore, a scoring system (BPD-TM score) ranging from 0 to
13 and grouped in four tiers (0–3: low, 4–6: low intermediate, 7–9: high intermediate,
and 10–13: high risk) was developed based on these factors. Below the score of 4,
4.1% of infants (18/436), above the score of 9, 100% (29/29) of the infants developed
BPD. The score was validated successfully in 172 infants.
Conclusion With this easy to use scoring system, one can predict the neonate at risk for BPD
at 72 hours of life and direct preventive measures toward these infants.
Keywords
bronchopulmonary dysplasia - prediction - risk factors - prematurity
