Inhaled budesonide and beclomethasone for the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants: a prospective randomized controlled trial - Report - MDSpire

Inhaled budesonide and beclomethasone for the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants: a prospective randomized controlled trial

  • By

  • Bingjie Wang

  • Siyuan Xu

  • Zheng Li

  • Kaidong Yang

  • Nuo Xu

  • Di Huang

  • Dandan Zhao

  • Bo Yang

  • Xiangyu Gao

  • June 4, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Efficacy of Inhaled Budesonide and Beclomethasone in BPD

Overview

Inhaled budesonide and beclomethasone significantly shorten the duration of respiratory support in very preterm infants at high risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) without increasing adverse outcomes. However, these treatments do not demonstrate significant advantages in reducing the incidence or severity of BPD.

Background

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a prevalent and serious complication in very preterm infants, leading to long-term respiratory issues. Despite advancements in neonatal care, the incidence of BPD remains high, necessitating effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. Corticosteroids, such as inhaled budesonide and beclomethasone, are commonly used due to their anti-inflammatory properties, yet their efficacy in this context requires further investigation.

Data Highlights

GroupTotal Duration of Respiratory Support (days)Length of Hospital Stay (days)
Control43.5 ± 13.550.4 ± 8.5
Budesonide36.4 ± 14.939.5 ± 10.1
Beclomethasone35.6 ± 15.139.8 ± 11.0

Key Findings

  • Inhaled budesonide and beclomethasone reduced the total duration of respiratory support compared to control.
  • No significant differences in the incidence of BPD or its severity among the treatment groups.
  • Both treatment groups showed lower interleukin-8 and higher interleukin-10 levels compared to the control group on day 14 post-treatment initiation.
  • Younger gestational age and lower birth weight were identified as independent risk factors for BPD.
  • Inhaled corticosteroids did not increase the incidence of adverse outcomes.

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that inhaled budesonide and beclomethasone can be safely used to reduce the duration of respiratory support in very preterm infants at risk for BPD. However, clinicians should be aware that these treatments do not significantly impact the overall incidence or severity of BPD.

Conclusion

Inhaled budesonide and beclomethasone are effective in shortening respiratory support duration in very preterm infants without increasing adverse outcomes, but they do not significantly reduce BPD incidence or severity.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Title
  2. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Title
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  4. conexiant, conexiant, 2025 -- Late Preterm Steroids: No Lung Benefit
  5. European Consensus Guidelines, PMC, 2025 -- Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome
  6. Author(s)/Org, PubMed, 2025 -- Early Intratracheal Budesonide to Reduce BPD
  7. European Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome
  8. Early Intratracheal Budesonide to Reduce Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Extremely Preterm Infants: The Budesonide in Babies (BiB) Randomized Clinical Trial - PubMed

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