THE EFFECT OF NEBULIZED AZITHROMYCIN AS THERAPY FOR BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA

THE EFFECT OF NEBULIZED AZITHROMYCIN AS AN ADJUVANT PREVENTIVE THERAPY FOR BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA IN PRETERM INFANTS

The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of nebulized azithromycin therapy in prevention of BPD in very low birth weight preterm infants when compared with placebo.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Gestational age less than 32 weeks and birth weight less than 1500 g.
2. Infants who are still in need of respiratory support at day 7 of life (intubated, or by non-invasive mechanical ventilation, including CPAP and high-flow nasal cannula, or any form of oxygen therapy).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Gestational age ≥ 32 weeks.
• Newborns with congenital cyanotic heart diseases.
• Obvious major congenital malformations, known syndromes or chromosomal anomalies.
• Infants with signs compatible with the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in the first week of life.
• Current use of steroids.