Validation of the NICHD Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Outcome Estimator 2022 in a Quaternary Canadian NICU
This study evaluated the performance of the updated NICHD BPD Outcome Estimator in predicting bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or death among extremely preterm infants cared for in a Canadian quaternary NICU. By analyzing serial risk estimates at multiple time points (days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28) in infants born before 29 weeks, we found the model demonstrated good accuracy from the end of the first week of life (AUC > 0.8). The findings support the use of this tool in clinical discussions and early intervention planning for high-risk infants, while emphasizing the importance of local validation before widespread adoption.

Reliability of Two-Dimensional versus M-Mode Echocardiography for Common Functional Indices in Extremely Preterm Infants
Accurate echocardiographic assessment is essential for understanding cardiovascular adaptation in preterm infants. In this project, we compared two echocardiographic techniques—two-dimensional (2D) and M-mode—for two key cardiac indices: the left atrium to aortic root diameter ratio (LA:Ao) and fractional shortening (FS). We found that LA:Ao showed high reliability across both methods (ICC ˜ 0.87), while FS demonstrated only moderate reproducibility (ICC ˜ 0.72–0.73). These results suggest LA:Ao may serve as a more consistent measure of cardiac loading conditions in extremely preterm infants, underscoring the need for standardized imaging protocols and training in neonatal echocardiography.

Postnatal Steroid Use for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in a Quaternary Care NICU
This 10-year retrospective study examined postnatal steroid (PNS) practices for BPD prevention and treatment in infants born before 33 weeks’ gestation. Among over 2,000 admissions, 8% of infants received steroids—most commonly dexamethasone—initiated around day 29 for a median of 10 days. While overall use remained stable, cumulative steroid exposure per infant increased, and nearly half of treatment courses deviated from standardized regimens. The findings highlight evolving local practices, the need for consistent adherence to evidence-based protocols, and the importance of monitoring both short- and long-term outcomes associated with PNS exposure.