ObjectiveTo identify the association between birth weight (BW)-for-gestational age (GA) and pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) at 36 weeks in infants with moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).Study DesignIn this retrospective cohort study, we followed 138 premature infants (≤28wks) with moderate and severe BPD (NIH consensus definition) born at Prentice Women’s Hospital between 2005 and 2009. BW percentiles were calculated using the Fenton growth curve for premature infants. PHTN was determined using a standardized algorithm of echocardiogram review at 36 weeks. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between BW percentile subgroups and PHTN, taking into account antenatal and neonatal factors that were related to PHTN.ResultsPHTN was associated with small BW-for-GA, ranging from thresholds of <10th to <25th percentile (P<0.001). These associations remained significant when comparing BW <25th percentile to the reference group (50–89th percentile); after adjustment for GA, gender, multiple gestation, race/ethnicity (OR=4.2; 95% CI=1.5, 12.1); and after further adjustment for maternal vascular disease, intrauterine infection, oligohydramnios, and relevant postnatal factors (OR=5.7; 95% CI=1.5, 21.2). Longitudinal follow-up of this cohort showed a trend towards higher morbidity and death among PHTN infants with BW <25th percentile.ConclusionBW-for-GA is an important predictor of PHTN in premature infants with moderate/severe BPD. Our findings contribute to the growing evidence supporting fetal mechanisms of later onset pulmonary vascular disease.

No abstract