Critical appraisal of the role of Ureaplasma in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia with metaanalytic techniques

Robert L. Schelonka, Brenda Katz, Ken B. Waites, Daniel K. Benjamin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

140 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Controversy exists over whether or not Ureaplasma colonization or infection of the respiratory tract contributes to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Because BPD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants and a potential therapeutic intervention with antimicrobials is possible, we sought to evaluate and critique the current medical literature and to document the reported association between Ureaplasma and BPD. Methods: We analyzed all peer-reviewed articles and previous reviews including cross-references that reported Ureaplasma respiratory tract colonization or infection and development of BPD in neonates published from January 1966 to December 2004. Inclusion criteria included a cohort limited to all neonatal intensive care unit admissions or all colonized infants, articles that did not define a numerator and a denominator for BPD and Ureaplasma or that included patients from other reports were excluded from the analysis. We evaluated BPD at 28 postnatal days (BPD28) or 36 weeks post-menstrual age (BPD36). Results: Twenty-three studies with an aggregate of 2216 infants reported BPD28, and 8 studies with 751 infants reported BPD36. Although there was significant association between Ureaplasma colonization and both BPD28 and BPD36, there was substantial heterogeneity (Q test statistic, P < 0.01). We therefore focused on describing the study characteristics associated with an increased relative proportion of BPD. The greatest contribution to effect was from the studies enrolling fewer than 100 infants. Conclusion: Ureaplasma colonization is associated with higher reported rates of BPD, but the greatest reported effect is seen in small studies; reporting bias may be partially responsible for this effect.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1033-1039
Number of pages7
JournalPediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Volume24
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Metaanalysis
  • Ureaplasma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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