Respiratory Culture Growth and 3-Year Lung Health Outcomes in Children
with BPD and Tracheostomies
Abstract
Background: While bacteria identification on respiratory
cultures is associated with poor short-term outcomes in children with
bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and tracheostomies, the influence on
longer-term respiratory support needs remains unknown.
Objective: To determine if respiratory culture growth of
pathogenic organisms is associated with ongoing need for respiratory
support, decannulation, and death at 3 years post-tracheostomy placement
in children with BPD and tracheostomies. Methods: This single
center, retrospective cohort study included infants and children with
BPD and tracheostomies placed 2010-2018 and >1 respiratory
culture obtained in 36 months post-tracheostomy. Primary predictor was
any pathogen identified on respiratory culture. Additional predictors
were any Pseudomonas aeruginosa and chronic P. aeruginosa
identification. Outcomes included continued use of respiratory support
(e.g., oxygen, positive pressure), decannulation, and death at 3 years
post-tracheostomy. We used Poisson regression models to examine the
relationship between respiratory organisms and outcomes, controlling for
patient-level covariates and within-patient clustering.
Results: Among 170 children, 59.4% had a pathogen identified,
28.8% ever had P. aeruginosa, and 3.5% had chronic P.
aeruginosa. At 3 years, 33.1% of alive children required ongoing
respiratory support and 24.8% achieved decannulation; 18.9% were
deceased. In adjusted analysis, any pathogen and P. aeruginosa
were not associated with ongoing respiratory support or mortality.
However, P. aeruginosa was associated with decreased risk of
decannulation (aRR 0.48, 95% CI 0.23-0.98). Chronic P.
aeruginosa was associated with lower survival probability.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that respiratory pathogens
including P. aeruginosa may not promote long-term respiratory
dysfunction, but identification of P. aeruginosa may delay
decannulation.