Postnatal corticosteroids can facilitate ventilator weaning and reduce the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); therefore, they are commonly used to prevent or treat BPD in preterm infants, particularly those born extremely preterm. Despite their frequent use in high-risk infants with severe BPD, no clear guidelines have been established for the optimal timing of administration, dosage, corticosteroid type, route of delivery, and indication based on the infant’s baseline risk of BPD. Early systemic corticosteroid administration, particularly dexamethasone within the first week of life, appears to be associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes and is generally not recommended. Dexamethasone and hydrocortisone exhibit distinct biological and clinical effects, yet evidence from direct comparative studies is limited. Dexamethasone may improve cerebral palsy-free survival of infants at high risk of BPD but poses potential harm in those at low risk, highlighting the need for individualized risk-based decision-making. Optimal dosing remains unclear: lower doses may reduce systemic side effects despite the uncertainty of their neurodevelopmental safety, whereas higher doses may be more effective in selected high-risk infants. Inhaled corticosteroids have inconclusive benefits compared with systemic therapy. The intratracheal administration of corticosteroids with surfactant improves distal airway delivery and reduces death or BPD rates; however, short- and long-term safety data remain limited. Overall, postnatal corticosteroids should be used cautiously and selectively in high-risk, ventilator-dependent infants with severe BPD. Future high-quality trials are needed to evaluate long-term survival free of neurodevelopmental impairments.

Pulmonary hypertension is more common in preterm infants compared to term infants, and the incidence increases as gestational age decreases. In preterm infants, pulmonary hypertension is a risk factor that increases mortality. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is an approved treatment for pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants in Korea. Since January 2021, iNO has been used for hypoxic respira tory failure associated with early acute persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) in preterm infants. Although studies suggest that iNO improves oxygenation and reduces mortality in preterm infants with pulmonary hypertension, there are concerns about its effectiveness and potential adverse effects. In addition, there are several challenges in administering iNO therapy to pre­term infants in Korea that need to be addressed. The current therapeutic indications in Korea allow iNO therapy to be administered only if treatment is started within 14 days of life, so it cannot be used for late pulmonary hypertension. Additionally, iNO therapy requires meeting the criteria for hypoxic respiratory failure, which includes calculating the oxygenation index (OI) using PaO 2 values obtained from arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA). To evaluate treatment response, PaO 2 values from ABGA are also necessary. However, invasive arterial blood sampling is a particularly challenging procedure in preterm infants. Therefore, alternative criteria beyond OI are needed. Furthermore, echocardiographic findings are essential to determine the therapeutic indication for PPHN in iNO therapy. However, not all neonatal intensive care units have consistent access to echocardiography. These issues must be addressed and resolved through further research and evidence.

Pulmonary hypertension is more common in preterm infants compared to term infants, and the incidence increases as gestational age decreases. In preterm infants, pulmonary hypertension is a risk factor that increases mortality. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is an approved treatment for pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants in Korea. Since January 2021, iNO has been used for hypoxic respira tory failure associated with early acute persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) in preterm infants. Although studies suggest that iNO improves oxygenation and reduces mortality in preterm infants with pulmonary hypertension, there are concerns about its effectiveness and potential adverse effects. In addition, there are several challenges in administering iNO therapy to pre­term infants in Korea that need to be addressed. The current therapeutic indications in Korea allow iNO therapy to be administered only if treatment is started within 14 days of life, so it cannot be used for late pulmonary hypertension. Additionally, iNO therapy requires meeting the criteria for hypoxic respiratory failure, which includes calculating the oxygenation index (OI) using PaO 2 values obtained from arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA). To evaluate treatment response, PaO 2 values from ABGA are also necessary. However, invasive arterial blood sampling is a particularly challenging procedure in preterm infants. Therefore, alternative criteria beyond OI are needed. Furthermore, echocardiographic findings are essential to determine the therapeutic indication for PPHN in iNO therapy. However, not all neonatal intensive care units have consistent access to echocardiography. These issues must be addressed and resolved through further research and evidence.

Pulmonary hypertension is more common in preterm infants compared to term infants, and the incidence increases as gestational age decreases. In preterm infants, pulmonary hypertension is a risk factor that increases mortality. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is an approved treatment for pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants in Korea. Since January 2021, iNO has been used for hypoxic respira tory failure associated with early acute persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) in preterm infants. Although studies suggest that iNO improves oxygenation and reduces mortality in preterm infants with pulmonary hypertension, there are concerns about its effectiveness and potential adverse effects. In addition, there are several challenges in administering iNO therapy to pre­term infants in Korea that need to be addressed. The current therapeutic indications in Korea allow iNO therapy to be administered only if treatment is started within 14 days of life, so it cannot be used for late pulmonary hypertension. Additionally, iNO therapy requires meeting the criteria for hypoxic respiratory failure, which includes calculating the oxygenation index (OI) using PaO 2 values obtained from arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA). To evaluate treatment response, PaO 2 values from ABGA are also necessary. However, invasive arterial blood sampling is a particularly challenging procedure in preterm infants. Therefore, alternative criteria beyond OI are needed. Furthermore, echocardiographic findings are essential to determine the therapeutic indication for PPHN in iNO therapy. However, not all neonatal intensive care units have consistent access to echocardiography. These issues must be addressed and resolved through further research and evidence.

Pulmonary hypertension is more common in preterm infants compared to term infants, and the incidence increases as gestational age decreases. In preterm infants, pulmonary hypertension is a risk factor that increases mortality. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is an approved treatment for pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants in Korea. Since January 2021, iNO has been used for hypoxic respira tory failure associated with early acute persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) in preterm infants. Although studies suggest that iNO improves oxygenation and reduces mortality in preterm infants with pulmonary hypertension, there are concerns about its effectiveness and potential adverse effects. In addition, there are several challenges in administering iNO therapy to pre­term infants in Korea that need to be addressed. The current therapeutic indications in Korea allow iNO therapy to be administered only if treatment is started within 14 days of life, so it cannot be used for late pulmonary hypertension. Additionally, iNO therapy requires meeting the criteria for hypoxic respiratory failure, which includes calculating the oxygenation index (OI) using PaO 2 values obtained from arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA). To evaluate treatment response, PaO 2 values from ABGA are also necessary. However, invasive arterial blood sampling is a particularly challenging procedure in preterm infants. Therefore, alternative criteria beyond OI are needed. Furthermore, echocardiographic findings are essential to determine the therapeutic indication for PPHN in iNO therapy. However, not all neonatal intensive care units have consistent access to echocardiography. These issues must be addressed and resolved through further research and evidence.

Pulmonary hypertension is more common in preterm infants compared to term infants, and the incidence increases as gestational age decreases. In preterm infants, pulmonary hypertension is a risk factor that increases mortality. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is an approved treatment for pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants in Korea. Since January 2021, iNO has been used for hypoxic respira tory failure associated with early acute persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) in preterm infants. Although studies suggest that iNO improves oxygenation and reduces mortality in preterm infants with pulmonary hypertension, there are concerns about its effectiveness and potential adverse effects. In addition, there are several challenges in administering iNO therapy to pre­term infants in Korea that need to be addressed. The current therapeutic indications in Korea allow iNO therapy to be administered only if treatment is started within 14 days of life, so it cannot be used for late pulmonary hypertension. Additionally, iNO therapy requires meeting the criteria for hypoxic respiratory failure, which includes calculating the oxygenation index (OI) using PaO 2 values obtained from arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA). To evaluate treatment response, PaO 2 values from ABGA are also necessary. However, invasive arterial blood sampling is a particularly challenging procedure in preterm infants. Therefore, alternative criteria beyond OI are needed. Furthermore, echocardiographic findings are essential to determine the therapeutic indication for PPHN in iNO therapy. However, not all neonatal intensive care units have consistent access to echocardiography. These issues must be addressed and resolved through further research and evidence.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a significant concern in neonatal care despite advance ments in intensive care for preterm infants, as its incidence continues to rise. This chronic complica tion of prematurity not only affects respiratory function but also has impacts on growth and neuro development into childhood and adolescence. The evolution of BPD definitions reflects the changing landscape of neonatal care, aiming to better predict long-term outcomes and guide early interven tions. While the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) 2001 definition set a standard for classifying BPD severity, its limitations in capturing diverse respiratory support and predicting long-term outcomes have prompted the development of newer definitions, such as the NICHD 2018 and Neonatal Research Network 2019 definitions. These updated definitions offer improvements by considering a broader range of respiratory support criteria and enhancing predic tive value for mortality, respiratory morbidity, growth, and neurodevelopmental impairment. The primary goal of defining BPD and grading its severity is to identify high-risk infants early, enabling targeted interventions to improve long-term outcomes. Future efforts should focus on refining BPD definitions to best predict these outcomes and optimize care for this vulnerable population.

Although positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) has traditionally been performed using a face mask in neonatal resuscitation, face mask ventilation for delivering PPV has a high failure rate due to mask leaks, airway obstruction, or gastric inflation. Furthermore, face mask ventilation is compromised during chest compressions. Endotracheal intubation in neonates requires a high skill level, with a first-attempt success rate of <50%. Laryngeal masks can transfer positive pressure more effectively even during chest compressions, resulting in a lower PPV failure rate compared to that of face masks in neonatal resuscitation. In addition, inserting a laryngeal mask is easier and more accessible than endotracheal intubation, and mortality rates do not differ between the 2 methods. Therefore, in neonatal resuscitation, laryngeal masks are recommended in infants with gestational age >34 weeks and/or with a birth weight >2 kg, in cases of unsuccessful face mask ventilation (as a primary airway device) or endotracheal intubation (as a secondary airway device, alternative airway). In other words, laryngeal masks are recommended when endotracheal intubation fails as well as when PPV cannot be achieved. Although laryngeal masks are commonly used in anesthetized pediatric patients, they are infrequently used in neonatal resuscitation due to limited experience, a preference for endotracheal tubes, or a lack of awareness among the healthcare providers. Thus, healthcare providers must be aware of the usefulness of laryngeal masks in depressed neonates requiring PPV or endotracheal intubation, which can promptly resuscitate these infants and improve their outcomes, resulting in decreased morbidity and mortality rates.

Although positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) has traditionally been performed using a face mask in neonatal resuscitation, face mask ventilation for delivering PPV has a high failure rate due to mask leaks, airway obstruction, or gastric inflation. Furthermore, face mask ventilation is compromised during chest compressions. Endotracheal intubation in neonates requires a high skill level, with a first-attempt success rate of <50%. Laryngeal masks can transfer positive pressure more effectively even during chest compressions, resulting in a lower PPV failure rate compared to that of face masks in neonatal resuscitation. In addition, inserting a laryngeal mask is easier and more accessible than endotracheal intubation, and mortality rates do not differ between the 2 methods. Therefore, in neonatal resuscitation, laryngeal masks are recommended in infants with gestational age >34 weeks and/or with a birth weight >2 kg, in cases of unsuccessful face mask ventilation (as a primary airway device) or endotracheal intubation (as a secondary airway device, alternative airway). In other words, laryngeal masks are recommended when endotracheal intubation fails as well as when PPV cannot be achieved. Although laryngeal masks are commonly used in anesthetized pediatric patients, they are infrequently used in neonatal resuscitation due to limited experience, a preference for endotracheal tubes, or a lack of awareness among the healthcare providers. Thus, healthcare providers must be aware of the usefulness of laryngeal masks in depressed neonates requiring PPV or endotracheal intubation, which can promptly resuscitate these infants and improve their outcomes, resulting in decreased morbidity and mortality rates.

Although positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) has traditionally been performed using a face mask in neonatal resuscitation, face mask ventilation for delivering PPV has a high failure rate due to mask leaks, airway obstruction, or gastric inflation. Furthermore, face mask ventilation is compromised during chest compressions. Endotracheal intubation in neonates requires a high skill level, with a first-attempt success rate of <50%. Laryngeal masks can transfer positive pressure more effectively even during chest compressions, resulting in a lower PPV failure rate compared to that of face masks in neonatal resuscitation. In addition, inserting a laryngeal mask is easier and more accessible than endotracheal intubation, and mortality rates do not differ between the 2 methods. Therefore, in neonatal resuscitation, laryngeal masks are recommended in infants with gestational age >34 weeks and/or with a birth weight >2 kg, in cases of unsuccessful face mask ventilation (as a primary airway device) or endotracheal intubation (as a secondary airway device, alternative airway). In other words, laryngeal masks are recommended when endotracheal intubation fails as well as when PPV cannot be achieved. Although laryngeal masks are commonly used in anesthetized pediatric patients, they are infrequently used in neonatal resuscitation due to limited experience, a preference for endotracheal tubes, or a lack of awareness among the healthcare providers. Thus, healthcare providers must be aware of the usefulness of laryngeal masks in depressed neonates requiring PPV or endotracheal intubation, which can promptly resuscitate these infants and improve their outcomes, resulting in decreased morbidity and mortality rates.