Objective: To evaluate the role of intrauterine smoke exposure and other variables on the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in infants with birth weight <1500 g (VLBW). Methods: This case-control study investigated 277 VLBW infants (141 cases, 136 controls) admitted at birth to neonatal intensive care unit and survived to discharge. A retrospective telephone interview provided detailed parental information supplementing clinical data. Logistic regression assessed the effects of birth weight <1000 g, gestational age <30 weeks (GA<30), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), neonatal mechanical ventilation >7 days (MV>7), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), intrauterine smoke exposure greater than or equal to3 months (ISE), and of parental history of asthma on BPD (oxygen dependency at 28 days with characteristic radiographic abnormalities) occurrence. Results: Including all variables, only GA<30, RDS and MV>7 were significantly associated with BPD. ISE did not contribute significantly to this model (odds ratio [OR] 1.94; 95% confidence interval 0.88-4.26). Excluding iatrogenic variable MV>7, GA<30, RDS, PDA and ISE (OR 2.21; 95% confidence interval 1.03-4.76) were significantly associated with BPD. Analyzing GA as a continuous variable, the OR was 0.63 for each additional week. Conclusions: Prolonged mechanical ventilation, RDS and low gestational age were the major BPD determinants. Intrauterine smoke exposure seems to influence independently BPD development.
