Inhaled Corticosteroids for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Meta-analysis

CONTEXT: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants remains a major health burden despite many therapeutic interventions. Inhaled corticosteroids (IC) may be a safe and effective therapy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of IC for prevention or treatment of BPD or death in preterm infants. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and CINAHL from their inception until November 2015 together with other relevant sources. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials of ICs versus placebo for either prevention or treatment of BPD. DATA EXTRACTION: This meta-analysis used a random-effects model with assessment of quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. RESULTS: Thirty-eight trials were identified, and 16 met inclusion criteria. ICs were associated with a significant reduction in death or BPD at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age (risk ratio [RR] = 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75 to 0.99, I2 = 0%, P = .03; 6 trials, n = 1285). BPD was significantly reduced (RR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.91, I2 = 0%, 7 trials, n = 1168), although there was no effect on death (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.42 to 2.2, I2 = 50%, 7 trials, n = 1270). No difference was found for death or BPD at 28 days’ postnatal age. The use of systemic steroids was significantly reduced in treated infants (13 trials, n = 1537, RR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.98 I2 = 3%,). No significant differences were found in neonatal morbidities and other adverse events. LIMITATIONS: Long-term follow-up data are awaited from a recent large randomized controlled trial. CONCLUSIONS: Very preterm infants appear to benefit from ICs with reduced risk for BPD and no effect on death, other morbidities, or adverse events. Data on long-term respiratory, growth, and developmental outcomes are eagerly awaited.