Home Oxygen Therapy Practices in Preterm Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Scoping Review
Abstract
Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the most common complications of preterm birth, and many infants with BPD are discharged home on oxygen therapy. Home oxygen therapy (HOT) can shorten NICU stay, prevent hypoxemia-related complications, and support growth, but there is wide variation in how HOT is applied, monitored, and weaned across different settings. Existing reviews have focused on the types and duration of home respiratory support, or on post-discharge clinical management, but a systematic overview of the application content, outcome measures, and current evidence gaps for HOT in preterm infants with BPD is still lacking. Objectives: This scoping review aims to systematically map the existing literature on home oxygen therapy in preterm infants with BPD. The specific research questions are: (1) What are the specific contents (core elements and types) of home oxygen therapy applied in preterm infants with BPD? (2) What are the application effects and evaluation indicators reported in the literature? (3) What are the existing problems and future research directions in this field? Methods: The review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews and the PRISMA-ScR reporting guideline. We will search PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang from January 2000 to October 2026. Two reviewers will independently screen titles/abstracts and full texts, and extract data using a standardized form. Data will be analyzed descriptively and thematically. Expected Outcomes: Expected outcomes include: a comprehensive evidence map of the application of HOT in preterm infants with BPD; a summary of core application elements and types; an overview of reported effects and evaluation indicators; and identification of evidence gaps and future research priorities. This review will provide a reference for clinical practice and future research to optimize home oxygen management for this vulnerable population.
