Prolonged intubation (>50 days) in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) correlates with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12-24 months corrected age.
Tracheostomy status itself is not independently linked to poorer cognitive or motor development after controlling for intubation time and neurologic comorbidities.
Findings suggest that early tracheostomy to shorten intubation duration may be a plausible strategy to mitigate neurodevelopmental delays in severe BPD.
Prospective studies are needed to corroborate these retrospective findings and inform clinical decision-making on airway management in this vulnerable population.
