CRIB Scores as a Tool for Assessing Risk for the Development of Pulmonary Hypertension in Extremely Preterm Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Objective Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) increases the risk for developing pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the risk factors associated with BPD-associated PH remain unclear. Our primary aim was to determine perinatal risk factors associated with the development of PH in infants with BPD. Study Design We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 303 infants born at ≤ 28 weeks' gestation. Infants were categorized as having no, mild, moderate, or severe BPD. PH was diagnosed by echocardiogram. Data were analyzed using Fisher exact test, two-sample t-test, and multivariable logistic regression. Results The incidence of PH in our cohort was 12%. Infants with PH had lower birth weights and gestational ages (p < 0.001). After controlling for confounding variables, severe BPD (p < 0.001), and higher Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) scores (p = 0.04) were associated with the development of PH. Conclusion Severe BPD increases the risk for developing PH. Higher CRIB scores correlate with PH development in infants with BPD. We speculate that CRIB scores may allow for early categorization of preterm infants with a higher likelihood of developing PH.