Respiratory Medications in Infants <29 Weeks during the First Year Postdischarge: The Prematurity and Respiratory Outcomes Program (PROP) Consortium

Objective To determine patterns of respiratory medications used in neonatal intensive care unitgraduates. Study design The Prematurity Respiratory Outcomes Program enrolled 835 babies Results During any given quarter, 66%-75% of the babies received no respiratory medication and 45% of the infants received no respiratory drug over the first year. The most common postdischarge medication was the inhaled bronchodilatoralbuterol; its use increased significantly from 13% to 31%. Diureticusage decreased significantly from 11% to 2% over the first year. Systemic steroids (prednisone, most commonly) were used in approximately 5% of subjects in any one quarter. Inhaled steroids significantly increased over the first year from 9% to 14% at 12 months. Drug exposure changed significantly based on gestational age with 72% of babies born at 23-24 weeks receiving at least 1 respiratory medication but only 40% of babies born at 28 weeks. Overall, at some time in the first year, 55% of infants received at least 1 drug including an inhaled bronchodilator(45%), an inhaled steroid (22%), a systemic steroid (15%), or diuretic(12%). Conclusion Many babies born at