Factors associated with respiratory support weaning after 6 months post-menstrual age (PMA) in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BDP)

<bold>Title</bold> Factors associated with respiratory support weaning after 6 months post-menstrual age (PMA) in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BDP) <bold>Study Objectives</bold> BPD is the most common complication of prematurity in infants born before 32 gestational weeks. This study aimed at researching factors associated with respiratory support weaning after discharge from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). <bold>Methods</bold> Retrospective study conducted in the NICU of a tertiary hospital, in infants born before 32 gestational weeks (2012-2021), which discharged from NICU at term with a respiratory support (oxygenotherapy OG, high flow nasal canula HFNC, noninvasive ventilation NIV, invasive ventilation IV, tracheostomy TT) with moderate to severe BDP at 36 weeks PMA. <bold>Results</bold> Among the 53 patients included (60% OG, 19% HFNC, 17% NIV, 2% IV, 2% TT), 23(43%) were weaned from respiratory support before 6 months PMA and 39(74%) before 12 months PMA, weaning median age 5 months [3-8]. The duration of IV and post-natal steroids treatment (excluded steroids pulses) were identified as factors associated with weaning after 6 months PMA (respectively OR 1.13, p=0.04 and OR 4.11, p=0.02). The intra-uterine growth restriction, the duration of high frequency oscillation, the infections, the ductus arteriosus closure by ligation or prosthesis and steroids pulses were not identified as factors associated. <bold>Conclusion</bold> In our study, near than the half of preterm infants with moderate to severe BDP were weaned from respiratory support before 6 months PMA. The duration of IV and post natal steroids treatment were identified as factors associated with late weaning.