What is known about this topic;
- BPD is the most common complication of extreme prematurity often
requiring prolonged periods of mechanical ventilation
- Systemic dexamethasone facilitates weaning of invasive ventilatory
support by suppressing inflammation, improving lung compliance, and
decreasing airway resistance
- Steroids have documented side effects and should be reserved for
neonates who are difficult to extubate from mechanical ventilation
with the lowest cumulative dose given