What is known about this topic;
  1. BPD is the most common complication of extreme prematurity often requiring prolonged periods of mechanical ventilation
  2. Systemic dexamethasone facilitates weaning of invasive ventilatory support by suppressing inflammation, improving lung compliance, and decreasing airway resistance
  3. 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