1201 THE ROLE OF STEROIDS IN EARLY BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA (BPD)

Abstract

Eleven premature infants with hyaline membrane disease, whose gestational ages were 27-36 weeks, required ventilatory support and supplemental oxygen. Their clinical course indicated irreversible lung damage. Due to advancing stage II BPD on Xray and continued oxygen and ventilator dependence, they were started on a course of Dexamethasone (Decadron, MSD). Within forty eight hours, each patient showed a clinical response with increasing pulmonary compliance, a diminishing oxygen and ventilator requirement and a halt in the progression of the disease on Xray. A double blind study is now being set up to evaluate the usefulness of steroids in BPD. Our present evidence indicates prompt clinical improvement in lung disease, but with associated risk and side effects including hypertension, susceptibility to sepsis, gastric ulcers, cushinoid syndrome and difficulties in weaning which complicate management. It appears that in the inflammatory phase of developing BPD, Decadron is a useful, but not benign, new approach to this life threatening lung disease.

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