Radiographic Changes Associated with Tracheal Isolation of Ureaplasma Urealyticum from Neonates

Recent studies show an association between the presence of Ureaplasma urealyticum</it> in tracheal aspirates and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We hypothesized that among infants with birth weights 1,250 g and respiratory disease, those with U. urealyticum</it> in their tracheal aspirates would have radiographic evidence of more-severe pulmonary disease more often than would those without this organism. A total of 292 low-birth-weight infants who had endotracheal aspirate cultured within 7 days of birth were enrolled. The radiographic outcome variables were pneumonia, early severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (precocious), and chronic lung disease. Microorganisms were isolated from 128 infants (44%); U. urealyticum</it> was isolated from 44 (15%). Pneumonia was significantly more common in infants with than without U. urealyticum</it> (30% vs. 16%, P</it> = .03). U. urealyticum</it> also was associated with precocious bronchopulmonary dysplasia independent of prematurity, race, and sex (odds ratio, 2.2; P</it> < .05). Tracheal isolation of U. urealyticum</it> within 7 days of birth is associated with pneumonia and precocious bronchopulmonary dysplasia.