Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the most important long-term morbidities of very low birth weight infants. Increased risk of home oxygen therapy, rehospitalizations because of lower respiratory tract infections, growth failure and neurodevelopmental problems constitute the major problems in the long-term follow-up. In this study, we aimed to define the characteristics of long-term follow-up and rehospitalization periods in infants with BPD in our hospital. During the period 2005-2006 50 preterm infants with BPD were included in the study. The major risk factors for the development of BPD were identified as symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (OR 5.4, 1.6-18.3), pneumonia (OR 4.9, 1.6-14.7) and respiratory distress syndrome (OR 4.8, 2.1-14.7). Clinical severity of BPD was mild in 36%, moderate in 40% and severe in 24% of patients. Home oxygen therapy was initiated in 54% of patients, while 64.3% were rehospitalized at least once in the first year of life. The main rehospitalization diagnoses were lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia and acute bronchiolitis) (60%) and retinopathy of prematurity (15%). The majority of patients who were hospitalized for lower respiratory tract infections (68%) had serious respiratory distress and cyanosis on admission to hospital. The rate of mortality was 11% in rehospitalized patients. In long-term follow-up, cerebral palsy was noted in 20% and growth failure in 27% of the infants at corrected 12 months of age. In conclusion, infants with BPD have a high rate of home oxygen therapy, rehospitalization and long-term adverse morbidities in our hospital, which is compatible with the rates in the literature. In our country, more organized and effective follow-up programs and rehospitalization services are needed for infants with BPD.

Keywords: Bronkopulmoner displazi, prematürenin kronik akciğer hastalığı, izlem, yeniden hastaneye yatış, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, follow up, rehospitalization