Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Burden, long-term outcomes and quality of life by Prof. Steven Abman

"Over all, BPD survivors are at high risk of developing morbidities during childhood and into adulthood. Adults born preterm may develop COPD-like symptoms – now recognized as Type 2 COPD (developmental origins)."

BPD is a heterogeneous disorder in fluenced by antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors.

• Despite improved neonatal survival, BPD incidence remains unchanged over decades.
• The term “BPD” is historically rooted and now seen as overly simplistic. However, BPD definitions must evolve to include long-term outcomes, lung function, and quality-of-life metrics, not only oxygen dependence at 36 weeks. 

According to Prof. Abman, BPD care must evolve from NICU survival to lifelong wellness. It takes a village (neonatologists, adult pulmonologists, developmental scientists, and families) to ensure continuity of care and improved quality of life for those born pre-mature.

Late preterm infants: Optimizing approach of RDS management by Prof. Elaine Boyle 

“Prof. Boyle highlighted the need to better understand late preterm infants (born between 34–36 weeks of gestation), a group often overlooked between full-term and very preterm babies." 

Research on RDS management in late preterm infants remains limited and inconsistent: Prof. Boyle emphasized the need for more randomized controlled trials to understand the long-term outcomes, optimal use of CPAP vs. high-flow oxygen, and the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of surfactant therapy. 

• She concluded the presentation with a mention of the SurfON trial (Surfactant Or Not), a large UK multicenter pragmatic trial evaluating early surfactant use versus expectant management in late preterm infants.
• SurfON has completed recruitment of over 1,500 infants in 35 neonatal units, with results presented at the Hot Topics in Neonatology conference (Washington DC, 8-10 December 2025).

nRDS management: Insights from a National Survey in China by Prof. Yuan Shi

“Prof. Shi presented an overview of national neonatal care practices in China, focusing on the management of RDS and the challenges faced in a rapidly developing but uneven healthcare system." 

The talk emphasized differences between China and Europe in terms of resources, hospital structures, and clinical practice. China’s healthcare landscape is highly diverse, with major differences between urban and rural areas. Even with the growing government commitment to premature infant care, RDS management may vary significantly across regions given China’s huge population and land scale. 

The MUNICH survey (Medical sUrvey for NICU Insight in CHina) was initiated with the aim of assessing perinatal and neonatal conditions, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) practices, and surfactant use across Chinese hospitals. Key Challenges in the management of nRDS in China are: 

1. Unequal distribution of healthcare resources.
2. High costs of advanced respiratory therapies for developing regions.
3. Shortage of neonatal specialists and need for better training.
4. Limited transport capacity for critically ill neonates.
5. Inconsistent implementation of evidence-based guidelines.

At the Chiesi booth, visitors experienced a diverse range of interactive activities across dedicated experience zones. 

Highlights included: 

• Medical and marketing information
• LISA training led by Dr. Anna Lavizzari using the AURA augmented reality tool
• A virtual reality visit to a Sub-Saharan hospital hosted at the Paolo Chiesi Foundation corner
• Global Health information and engagement