Purpose: Predicting Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) to assess the risk-benefit of the therapy is necessary due to the side effects of medications. We developed and validated an instrument for predicting BDP and compared it with an instrument currently used in neonates born in a Brazilian hospital. Methods: Retrospective cohort of patients born between 2016 and 2020, with gestational ages (GA) between 23 and 30 weeks. Predictive equations were elaborated using methods of selection of component variables: stepwise, conditional inference tree, Fisher’s exact test and all the collected variables; 70% of the sample was randomly selected for the construction of risk prediction equations, and the remaining 30% were used for their validation, application and comparison with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) instrument published in 2011, currently used in that institution. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the equations were calculated. Results: The equation that used variables whose p-value was lower than 5% in Fisher’s exact test (clinical chorioamnionitis, GA, birth weight, sex, need for surfactant, patent ductus arteriosus, late-onset sepsis, inspired fraction of oxygen, and respiratory support) presented the best results: specificity of 98% and positive predictive value of 93%. Our instrument allowed applying the prediction to small-for-gestational-age (SGA). The currently used calculator applied to our population had a specificity of 93% and a positive predictive value of 75% and could not be applied to SGA patients. Conclusion: Our tool has a higher specificity and positive predictive value than the foreign instrument and is suited for SGA.

Background: The hypothesis that early stimulation of the gut microbiota contributes to immune system balance has encouraged the use of probiotics to treat atopic dermatitis (AD), an immunological disorder characterized by chronic and relapsing skin inflammation, in several clinical studies. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a mixture of probiotics (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) in children and adolescents with AD and the effects of probiotics on sensitization, inflammation, and immunological tolerance. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, children and adolescents (aged 2 to 19 years) received one gram (sachet) per day of probiotics or placebo for six months. SCOring of AD (SCORAD) index, serum IgE levels, skin prick test, tolerogenic and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated. Results: Forty patients were evaluated and clinical response was significantly better in the probiotic group as compared to the placebo group after treatment for six months; SCORAD decreased (95% CI, 2.44–52.94) even after adjustment for co-variables (95% CI, 5.52–59.13). Three months after the treatment was discontinued, improvement persisted in the probiotic group even after adjustment for co-variables (95% CI, 0.78– 27.70). IgE levels, skin prick test and cytokines did not differ between groups. Conclusions: AD children and adolescents treated with a mixture of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Bifidobacterium lactis) for six months presented a significate SCORAD reduction as compared to placebo group. This probiotics mixture did not affect SPT and IgE levels, as well as inflammatory or tolerogenic cytokines. ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02519556.