Inhaled Corticosteroids for Treatment of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Inhaled Corticosteroids for Treatment of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
While many short-term morbidities associated with extreme prematurity have declined over the
 last two decades, the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has increased to a rate
 of approximately 45% in neonates <28 weeks gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) <1,500
 g. Neonates with BPD are at increased risk for adverse short-and long-term neurodevelopmental
 and respiratory outcomes that often persist into adulthood.

 There is a growing body of pathological and biochemical evidence that implicates inflammation
 in its pathogenesis. This is further supported by randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that
 demonstrate the efficacy of systemic corticosteroids in facilitating extubation and reducing
 BPD. However, several short- and long-term adverse effects associated with the use of
 systemic corticosteroids have been described, the most concerning of which is their effect on
 neurodevelopment, specifically an increased rate of cerebral palsy (CP).

 Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are an attractive alternative to systemic steroids because of
 these concerns. Earlier systematic reviews had not found any benefit in using ICS for the
 prevention or treatment of BPD. However, a recent systematic review showed a significant
 reduction in death or BPD at 36 weeks' corrected GA (CGA) (risk ratio=0.86, 95% confidence
 interval 0.75, 0.99), BPD (RR=0.77, 95% CI 0.65, 0.91), and use of systemic steroids
 (RR=0.87, 95% CI 0.76, 0.98) in infants treated with ICS.

 Despite growing evidence of the effectiveness of ICS for BPD, uncertainty remains over
 treatment timing, effective dose, and long-term effects. There is also variation in the
 delivery systems used for delivery of ICS. These concerns continue to be echoed in a recent
 review by Nelin et al. Given that the long-term neurodevelopmental impact of ICS were unknown
 at the time of this study and many infants are able to wean from ventilation without
 steroids, the investigators conducted an escalating-dose ranging study of late ICS (i.e.
 administered after the first week of life) delivered by a metered dose inhaler (MDI)
 utilizing a specially designed valved delivery system to determine the minimum effective dose
 necessary to achieve extubation or reduction in oxygen requirements and the long-term
 neurodevelopmental impact of increasing doses of ICS.
Research Question:

 What is the effective dose of inhaled steroids (HFA-BDP) in ventilated preterm infants?
 Material and Methods Objective: The primary purpose of this study is to determine the optimal
 dose of inhaled steroids (using HFA-BDP) in ventilated preterm infants. The result from this
 study will determine the dose of inhaled steroids to be used for a subsequent randomized
 placebo-controlled trial with sufficient power to determine if inhaled steroid is associated
 with reduction in CLD in ventilated preterm infants without any detrimental effect on long
 term neurodevelopmental outcome.

 Study Design: Escalating dose-ranging study Study Population: Babies with birth weights <
 1,250 grams and gestational age < 32 weeks admitted in the NICU at Sunnybrook and Women's
 College Health Sciences Centre and Mount Sinai Hospital Inclusion Criteria: Birth weight <
 1,250 grams and gestational age < 32 weeks, Need for assisted mechanical ventilation
 (ventilation rate > 15 breaths/min, and fractional oxygen concentration of inspired gas
 (Fio2) > 0.3 but < 0.6), Postnatal age 10-21 days, Stable ventilatory requirements over the
 48-72 hours prior to enrollment Exclusion Criteria: Actual or suspected sepsis, Congenital
 cardiorespiratory malformation, Patent ductus arteriosus, Presence of necrotizing
 enterocolitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage or perforation, Treatment with systemic
 dexamethasone Duration of therapy: 7 days Drug Regimen: Groups of neonates will be treated
 with an escalating dose of HFA-BDP until either efficacy equal to that seen with
 dexamethasone or significant side-effects are observed. 10 neonates will be treated at each
 dosage level before moving up to the next dose. Each neonate will be treated with only one
 dose.

 Bowser et al have performed an in vitro evaluation of drug deposition of HFA-BDP (QVAR*) and
 CPC-BDP MDI (Beclovent) via an aerosol delivery chamber (Aerochamber) and endotracheal tube
 (uncuffed Portex 3.5, 3.0 and 2.5) at low tidal volumes. The PARI Compas Breath Simulator was
 used to simulate neonatal and infant respiratory cycles. For both formulations and all
 endotracheal tubes, the output (*g) increased significantly at the tidal volume and
 inspiratory flow rates were increased. The 3.5 endotracheal tube side gave greater
 output/puff at all tidal volumes and for both formulations as compared to the smaller
 endotracheal tubes. Greater in vitro deposition was measured for QVAR than for beclovent,
 possibly leading to greater in vivo delivery to the lung of this new HFA-BDP MDI formulation
 to intubated infants

 Thus, for the purpose of this study Beclomethasone Dipropionate (HFA-BDP, QVAR*) in the
 following doses will be evaluated:

 1. 200 *g bid

 2. 400 *g bid

 3. 600 *g bid

 4. 800 *g bid Inhaled steroids will be administered using a specially designed neonatal
 aerosol delivery system manufactured by Trudell Canada (see diagram, Appendix I). The
 device will be connected directly to the endotracheal tube on one side with the
 ventilator circuit on the other. The ventilator settings will be temporarily adjusted to
 achieve an expiratory tidal volume of 7ml/kg (based on birth weight) and a rate of 30
 breaths/min and an inspiratory time of 0.5 seconds. There will be a one-minute interval
 between each actuation from the MDI. Continuous cardiac and oxygen saturation monitoring
 will be used throughout the treatment period. One-minute after the final puff has been
 administered, the delivery system will be removed and the baby returned to the
 ventilator settings previously used. The total daily dose will be administered in two
 divided doses.

 If the infant is extubated during the study period administration of inhaled medications will
 be stopped.

 Outcome Measures - Efficacy Primary Outcome: Reduction in Fio2 from the 2 days prior to
 treatment to the final 2 days of the study period or extubation during the study period.
 Extubation is considered to be successful if the infant does not require assisted ventilation
 in the next 48 hours. A reduction in additional Fio2 of 75% or greater will be considered a
 significant improvement (i.e. a baby with a baseline Fio2 of 0.51 who requires less than 0.28
 [0.21 + 0.25 (0.51-0.21)] at the end of the treatment period will be considered a treatment
 success).

 Secondary Outcome:

 Ventilatory status: Ventilator rate Mean airway pressure Peak inspiratory pressure
 Ventilatory parameters will be assessed at the same time intervals as Fio2 described above.

 Adverse Event Monitoring Each patient will be carefully monitored for adverse events by the
 investigators. The following events will be specifically monitored.

 1. Hypertension: Blood pressure (BP) will be noted every 12 hourly using an automatic
 sphygmomanometer (Dinamap, Criticon Inc.). Hypertension is defined as BP higher than 2
 SD above the mean for the infant's gestational and postnatal age.

 2. Hyperglycemia: Urine and blood glucose will be monitored as per nursing standard
 protocol for infants who are on steroids. Hyperglycemia will be defined as a blood
 glucose > 10 *mol/L.

 3. Growth: Weight and head circumference will be recorded prior to and after completion of
 the study period.

 4. Infection: Sepsis is defined as a need for antibiotic therapy because of a positive
 blood or cerebrospinal fluid culture or clinical diagnosis of pneumonia.

 5. Evidence of feeding intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis or intestinal perforation
 will be noted.

 6. Candidiasis of the mouth and throat will be noted. Assessment will be made of the
 seriousness, intensity and relationship to the administration of the study medication.
 If, in the opinion of the investigator, the adverse event is not tolerated, the patient
 will be withdrawn from the study and monitored until resolution of the adverse event or
 until a conclusion is reached as to its irreversible nature.

 Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA):

 Adrenal suppression is an important adverse effect, which occurs during glucocorticoid
 therapy (particularly when administered systemically). Controversy exists regarding the
 variable effect of glucocorticoid therapy on the immature HPA axis. The dose and duration of
 therapy, methodology and timing of adrenal function assessment and inter-patient variablity
 influence the degree and duration of suppression. Also, there is no consensus regarding
 normal HPA function in extremely premature infant. Therefore, for the purpose of this pilot
 study where the drug is administered for a very short duration the HPA axis will not be
 investigated. Assessment of the HPA axis will be part of the larger randomized controlled
 trial.

 Laboratory test abnormalities considered by the Investigator to be clinically relevant will
 be reported on the Adverse Event Page of the CRF.

 Adverse events and laboratory test abnormalities fulfilling the definition of "serious" must,
 in addition, be reported in detail on the Serious Adverse Event Form.

 Signs and symptoms of each AE should be described in detail: start and stop dates, intensity,
 relationship it investigational product, action taken and outcome.

 Safety Assessment Adverse events will be tracked as described below. After each serious AE,
 the safety monitoring committee will be informed and will investigate the relationship
 between the AE and study drug administration. Any time a serious AE is felt to be "probably
 related" to the therapy, consideration will be given to stopping the study. If a series of
 serious AE events are felt to be "possibly related" or a series of minor events felt to be
 "probably related" to treatment with the study drug, the study may also be stopped. The REB,
 3M pharmaceuticals and HPB will be kept informed of all such deliberations. The members of
 the safety committee include Dr. Arne Ohlsson, Director Evidence Based Neonatal Care and
 Outcomes Research, MSH, Dr. Elizabeth Asztalos, Staff Neonatologist, SWCHSC and Joseph
 Beyene, Biostatistician, MSH. After enrollment of 10 neonates at a particular dosing level
 the safety committee will be requested to review the data for efficacy and safety. If no
 benefit or no significant adverse events are noted then the decision will be made to move to
 the next dosing level.

 Weaning Protocol Respiratory therapists will use set criteria for weaning from ventilation.
 For 48 hours prior to commencement of treatment, a record will be made of the baseline
 ventilator settings. A transcutaneous pCO2 monitor will be applied daily for the duration of
 the study. Blood gases (capillary or arterial) will be performed as clinically indicated: ie.
 in response to changes in clinical status, oxygen requirements (oxygen saturation) or
 transcutaneous pCO2. Supplemental oxygen and ventilation will be adjusted to maintain an
 oxygen saturation of 90-95%, carbon dioxide tension between 45-60mm Hg (5.8-7.8 KPA) and a
 blood pH of at least 7.25. If clinically indicated, the proximal airway pressure will be
 reduced in decrements of 2mm Hg until a mean airway pressure of 8mm Hg is reached, following
 which the ventilator rate will be reduced in decrements of 2-5 breaths/min until a rate of
 10-12 breaths/min is achieved. Neonates will be extubated from a rate of 10-12 breaths/min a
 mean airway pressure of 8mm Hg and Fio2 concentration of < 0.3. A record will be made of the
 need for nasal CPAP following extubation.

 Sample size estimation The study design is an escalating dose ranging study with an aim to
 identify both an effective and a safe dose of inhaled steroids. 10 babies will be enrolled in
 each dose category. The study will be stopped if the therapeutic efficacy is achieved in a
 given dosage group or if significant side effects are noted. Therapeutic efficacy will be
 considered to have occurred in a group of 6 or more babies out of 10 meet the primary outcome
 [based upon response expected with dexamethasone therapy - data from Ohlsson et al
 (Unpublished data from MSc thesis)].

 Statistical Analysis Analysis of variance for repeated measures will be used to assess the
 effect of therapy over time in each dosage group. This analysis will be applied to Fio2 and
 ventilatory parameters
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Birth weight < 1,250 grams

 -  Gestational age < 32 weeks

 -  Need for assisted, invasive mechanical ventilation with at least the following
 settings:

 ventilation rate > 15 breaths per min, fractional oxygen concentration of inspired gas
 (FiO2) > 30% but < 60%)

 -  Postnatal age 10-21 days

 -  Stable ventilatory requirements over the 48-72 hours prior to enrollment

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Actual or suspected sepsis

 -  Congenital cardiorespiratory malformation

 -  Patent ductus arteriosus

 -  Presence of necrotizing enterocolitis

 -  Presence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage or perforation

 -  Treatment with systemic dexamethasone