Abstract
Twenty four infants with birthweights less than or equal to 1500 g had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Four died in the neonatal period and four in the postneonatal period-one had been discharged and was aged one year. Sixteen (67\%) survived long term and were followed up until they were two years old. Common medical conditions included respiratory illnesses in 14 (88\%) children and otitis media in 8 (50\%). Eleven (69\%) required hospital admission for an average of 5 times; total days in hospital averaged 27 days. The most common reasons for admission were bronchiolitis and bronchopneumonia. At two years 37\% were below the 10th centile for weight, as were 25\% for height: head circumferences were normal. Two children had cerebral palsy, two had developmental delay, two had multiple disabilities, and one had sensorineural deafness. Of the 24 BPD infants, 8 (33\%) died, 7 (29\%) survived with a disability (severe in one), and 9 (38\%) had a normal neurodevelopmental outcome. From the available perinatal data it was not possible to predict late disabilities in BPD survivors.
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