The influence of small for gestational age status on outpatient bronchopulmonary dysplasia outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of small for gestational age (SGA) and non-SGA infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and to ascertain whether respiratory outcomes and health-care utilization patterns in these two populations differ.

STUDY DESIGN: Three hundred and twenty-five infants with BPD born at <32 weeks gestation were recruited in the outpatient setting. Sociodemographic data and indicators of respiratory morbidity were collected via questionnaire and retrospective chart review.

RESULT: SGA infants were on average 1 month older than non-SGA infants at discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit and were more likely to have a weight less than 10th percentile at first clinic visit. History of SGA was associated with increased risk of emergency department visits as well as with caregiver perception of poor weight gain.

CONCLUSION: SGA status in infants with BPD is associated with increased health-care utilization, including length of initial hospitalization and emergency department visits.