Budesonide mixed with surfactant did not affect neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6 or 18 months corrected age in observational cohorts.

Background The addition of budesonide to surfactant in very-low-birth-weight infants with less severe RDS decreased bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) severity. Long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up was needed to monitor for systemic effects of budesonide. Methods Infants ≤1250 g who received intratracheal budesonide (0.25 mg/kg) with surfactant (n = 173) were compared to a historical cohort who received surfactant alone (n = 294). Peabody Developmental Motor Scales II at 4-6 months corrected age and Bayley Scales of Infant & Toddler Development III at 18-22 months corrected age were compared. Results There were no differences in muscle tone or motor skills by Peabody exam. There were no differences in the cognitive, language, or motor domains between cohorts on Bayley III. Conclusions In a cohort of infants treated with budesonide mixed with surfactant, there were no differences in developmental outcomes at 4-6 months or 18-22 months corrected age.