Objective:

To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of inhaled budesonide and beclomethasone for the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very preterm infants aged >7 days.

Key Findings:

• Budesonide and beclomethasone groups had shorter total duration of respiratory support and length of hospital stay compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Sample sizes: control (37), budesonide (41), beclomethasone (40).
• No significant differences in the incidence of BPD or severity among the three groups (P > 0.05).
• On day 14, interleukin-8 levels were lower and interleukin-10 levels were higher in the budesonide and beclomethasone groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
• Younger gestational age and lower birth weight were identified as independent risk factors for BPD, while inhaled corticosteroids served as protective factors.

Interpretation:

Inhaled budesonide and beclomethasone can shorten respiratory support duration in very preterm infants without increasing adverse outcomes, but do not significantly reduce BPD incidence or severity, which has important implications for clinical practice.

Limitations:

• The study had a limited sample size.
• The follow-up duration for long-term outcomes was not specified, which limits the understanding of the long-term effects.

Conclusion:

Inhaled budesonide and beclomethasone are effective in reducing respiratory support duration in very preterm infants at high risk of BPD, demonstrating safety without significant impact on BPD incidence.