Treatment of pulmonary broncodysplasia: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a complication among preterms, with an incidence inversely proportional to gestational age. It results from an inflammatory process that causes abnormal lung development, with severe consequences. Although therapeutic options are limited and do not substantially strike the course of the disease, they are important tools and need further elucidation. Purpose: Address the most recent aspects of the literature regarding the prevention and treatment of BPD. Methods: A literature review was carried out in the MEDLINE database, in 2021, in which only controlled and randomized clinical studies performed in humans in the last 5 years were included. Studies that were not directly related to the theme were excluded. Results: The incidence of BPD was lower in those cases exposed to inhaled budesonide, intravenous fish oil containing lipid emulsion (FO) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). There was improvement in survival with a low-dose use of hydrocortisone, dexamethasone with gradual dose reduction, and dexamethasone associated with postnatal corticosteroids (which generated reduction in neurodevelopmental impairments as well). Hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, inhaled hydrofluoalkane-beclomethasone dipropynate and FO reduced the time or need for ventilation and oxygen therapy. The main complications were sepsis, retinopathy, intraventricular hemorrhage and necrotizing enterocolitis in studies that addressed DHA, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and inhaled nitric oxide. Conclusion: The therapeutic approaches that proved to be conclusive were the use of glucocorticoids associated with ventilatory therapy and an early approach. No benefits were found with the use of ventilation with sustained inflation, administration of inhaled hydrofluoralkane-beclomethasone dipropionate and DHA.

Keywords

• bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• prematurity
• therapy