Tracheostomy in Extremely Preterm Neonates in the United States: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis

Objectives/Hypothesis Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and invasive respiratory support is increasing among extremely preterm neonates. Yet, it is unclear if there is a corresponding increase in tracheostomies. We hypothesize that in extremely preterm neonates with BPD, the incidence of tracheostomy has increased. Study Design Retrospective cross-sectional analysis. Methods We analyzed the 2006 to 2012 Kids’ Inpatient Databases (KID) for hospital discharges of nonextremely preterm neonates (gestational age >28 weeks and <37 weeks or birth weight >1,500 g) and extremely preterm neonates (gestational age ≤28 weeks or birth weight ≤1,500 g). We studied tracheostomy placement trends in these two populations to see if they are increasing among extremely preterm neonates, especially those with BPD. Results The study included 1,418,681 preterm neonates (52% male, 50% white, 19% black, 20% Hispanic, 4.2% Asian), of whom 118,676 (8.4%) were extremely preterm. A total of 2,029 tracheostomies were performed, of which 803 (0.68%) were in extremely preterm neonates. The estimated percent change of occurrence of extremely preterm neonates with BPD increased 17% between 2006 and 2012, and tracheostomy placement increased 31%. Amongst all who received tracheostomies, mortality rate was higher in extremely preterm neonates compared to nonextremely preterm neonates (18% vs. 14%, P = .05). However, in extremely preterm neonates, those with tracheostomies had a lower mortality rate compared to those without (18% vs. 24%, P = .002). Conclusions Extremely preterm neonates, compared to nonextremely preterm neonates, experienced a marked increase in tracheostomies placed from 2006 to 2012 as well as an increased incidence of BPD, confirming our primary study hypothesis. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 130: 2056–2062, 2020