Characteristics of home oxygen therapy for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in China: results of a multicenter cohort study

Background Home oxygen therapy (HOT) is indicated upon discharge in some preterm infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). There is a lack of evidence-based consensus on the indication for HOT among these infants. Because wide variation in the institutional use of HOT exists, little is known about the role of regional social-economic level in the wide variation of HOT. Methods This was a secondary analysis of Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) data from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Infants at gestational ages < 32 weeks, with a birth weight < 1500 g, and with moderate or severe BPD who survived to discharge from tertiary hospitals located in 25 provinces were included in this study. Infants with major congenital anomalies and those who were discharged against medical advice were excluded. Results Of 1768 preterm infants with BPD, 474 infants (26.8%) were discharged to home with oxygen. The proportion of HOT use in participating member hospitals varied from 0 to 89%, with five of 52 hospitals' observing proportions of HOT use that were significantly greater than expected, with 14 hospitals with observing proportions significantly less than expected, and with 33 hospitals with appropriate proportions. We noted a negative correlation between different performance groups of HOT and median GDP per capita (P = 0.04). Conclusions The use of HOT varied across China and was negatively correlated with the levels of provincial economic levels. A local HOT guideline is needed to address the wide variation in HOT use with respect to different regional economic levels in countries like China.