About

Erik Jensen, MD, MSCE, is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics specializing in Neonatology and Newborn Services at the Perelman School of Medicine. He serves as Co-Director of the Inpatient Infant Chronic Lung Disease Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. His educational background includes a BA in Chemistry from Pomona College, an MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine, and an MSCE in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania. His clinical expertise focuses on bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and his research expertise is centered on neonatal epidemiology related to bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Jensen has contributed to numerous publications addressing postnatal corticosteroids, neonatal respiratory conditions, and the epidemiology of lung diseases in preterm infants, emphasizing his focus on improving outcomes for vulnerable neonatal populations.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Internal medicine
• Surgery
• Physical therapy

Selected publications

• Predischarge Car Seat Tolerance Screening in Preterm and At-Risk Full-Term Infants

  JAMA Network Open · 2026-02-09

  articleOpen access

  Importance: Predischarge car seat tolerance screening (CSTS) has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics since 1991 for preterm and at-risk full-term-born infants. However, it remains unclear whether routine CSTS prevents adverse outcomes after discharge. Objective: To estimate the frequency of failed CSTS and its association with adverse postdischarge outcomes. Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for English-language studies published before June 2025. Study Selection: Randomized trials, nonrandomized intervention studies (utilizing a comparison group discharged without CSTS), and single-group observational studies were eligible. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Data were extracted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guideline by 2 reviewers. Study quality was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies tool. Main Outcomes and Measures: Outcomes were 30-day readmission, mortality, and predischarge length of stay for intervention studies, and first and subsequent CSTS failure rates for single-group studies. Random-effects models were used to pool data, and generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate pooled treatment effects from 2-group studies and CSTS failure event rates from all included studies. Results: A total of 21 studies were included. No randomized trials were identified. Three nonrandomized intervention studies (54 358 participants; 27 786 participants without CSTS) reported postdischarge outcomes. There was no difference in 30-day mortality (2 studies; not pooled due to 0 events), 30-day readmissions (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.86-1.28; 3 studies; 54 559 participants), or combined 30-day mortality or readmission (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.95-1.43; 2 studies; 49 420 participants) among infants receiving predischarge CSTS compared with those that did not. Pooled analysis estimated 8.62 (95% CI, 6.42-11.47) first-test failures per 100 patients (21 studies; 39 052 participants) and 24.40 (95% CI, 6.44-34.64) repeat-test failures per 100 patients (11 studies; 912 participants). Conclusions and Relevance: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of predischarge CSTS for preterm and at-risk full-term-born infants, CSTS was not associated with a reduction in postdischarge readmission or mortality. These findings call into question whether routine CSTS before discharge improves outcomes in preterm or at-risk full-term infants.

  PublisherDOI

• Evidence-based early-post natal approaches to limiting pulmonary disease in extremely low birth weight infants

  Current Opinion in Pediatrics · 2026-01-12

  articleSenior author

  PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common complication among extremely low birth weight Infants. Evidence suggest that the incidence of BPD is increasing. This review examines current evidence-based strategies initiated early in life for prevention of BPD. RECENT FINDINGS: In this review of early life approaches for prevention of BPD, perinatal interventions, respiratory support strategies, surfactant therapy, pharmacological therapies, fluid management, patent ductus arteriosus management, nutrition, and dietary supplements are discussed. SUMMARY: There is no single effective strategy to prevent BPD in all at risk infants. Therefore, clinicians must use multifaceted evidence-based strategies, beginning during the perinatal period, to reduce the risk of developing BPD in preterm infants.

  PublisherDOI

• Patient-derived lung organoids from bronchoalveolar lavage capture epithelial heterogeneity and disease biology in bronchopulmonary dysplasia

  Redox Biology · 2026-01-27

  articleOpen access

  Modeling neonatal lung disease ex vivo to elucidate disease pathogenesis is particularly challenging. We hypothesized that airway organoids derived from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples obtained from intubated preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) will recapitulate the epithelial heterogeneity seen in human airways and can be used to study lung injury and therapeutic responses. Here, we demonstrate that BAL sample-derived airway organoids from ventilator-dependent patients with established BPD exhibited cellular heterogeneity consistent with that observed in the human airway. Developed organoids contain basal cell progenitors and a spectrum of differentiated epithelial subtypes, including secretory, ciliated, PNECs, and hillock cells. Hyperoxia exposure and treatment with dexamethasone caused significant cellular transcriptional changes and highlighted biological pathways, both known and novel, with distinct findings based on sex as a biological variable. Findings were validated in an independent dataset from human BPD lung samples. Infant BAL-derived human lung organoids represent a cutting-edge model that bridges a critical gap in BPD research. They combine the advantages of being patient-specific and capturing developmental lung biology, with the experimental flexibility of an in vitro system.

  PublisherDOI

• Toward a Harmonized Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Definition: An International Delphi Process

  PEDIATRICS · 2026-04-08

  article

  BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most prevalent chronic respiratory complication of preterm birth and is associated with lifelong impairments. Multiple definitions are currently in use, creating variability in reported incidences and challenges in benchmarking. A harmonized definition is crucial for clinical care, research, and quality improvement. The objective of this international Delphi procedure was to identity key features of a BPD definition. METHODS: Health care professionals involved in neonatal clinical care and research were invited via an open electronic link to participate in a 2-round Delphi survey. A steering group disseminated the initial invitation. In round 1, participants rated 18 statements regarding BPD definition features using a 5-point Likert scale. Round 2 provided feedback from round 1, with consensus defined as greater than 70% agreement on acceptance or rejection of key features. RESULTS: Of 438 respondents, 351 (80.1%) completed both survey rounds. Although the 2001 National Institutes of Health definition was most commonly applied (66.4%), substantial variability in practice was reported. Most statements (72.2%) received median scores of 4 or 5 in the first round. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia definitions were primarily used for quality improvement (82.1%), prognostication of respiratory outcomes (81.5%), and as research outcomes (64.1%). In round 2, 13 of 18 statements achieved greater than 70% consensus. The strongest agreement emphasized that BPD definitions should be severity based, serve as benchmarks across centers, and predict long-term respiratory outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This international Delphi procedure identified key features for defining BPD. Results highlight the need for a harmonized, severity-based classification predictive of long-term outcomes and supporting consistency in clinical care, research, and benchmarking.

  PublisherDOI

• Patient-Derived Lung Organoids from Bronchoalveolar Lavage Capture Epithelial Heterogeneity and Disease Biology in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Association between route of furosemide administration and diuretic response in very preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

  Journal of Perinatology · 2025-12-01

  preprintOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: Furosemide is commonly prescribed in hospitalized infants with grade 2-3 bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Intravenous (IV), gastric, and duodenal administrations are common, with a 1:2 IV-to-enteral conversion often used despite uncertain bioavailability. Our objective was to compare diuretic responses between routes in infants with BPD. STUDY DESIGN: Single-center observational cohort of very preterm infants with grade 2-3 BPD prescribed furosemide. The association between route (exposure) and diuretic response (change in net fluid balance after administration, outcome) was evaluated using multivariable regression adjusting for dosing and infant characteristics. RESULTS: Among 153 infants (median postmenstrual age of 43.3 weeks at exposure), furosemide reduced fluid balance by -25.6 (29.8) ml/kg/d. Adjusted mean changes were similar across routes: IV, -25.3 (-35.8, -14.7), gastric, -25.8 (-32.2, -19.4), and duodenal, -25.8 (-34.2, -17.4). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a 1:2 IV-to-enteral conversion leads to comparable diuretic effects in infants with established BPD, supporting this common clinical practice.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Oxygen Saturation Targeting for Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Pilot Randomized Trial

  Annals of the American Thoracic Society · 2025-04-01 · 5 citations

  article

  Abstract Rationale The optimal target oxygen saturation (SpO2) range in infants with established bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is unknown. Objectives To compare the incidence of intermittent hypoxemia (IH), proportion of time with hypoxemia, and secondary clinical outcomes measured up to 6 months corrected age (CA) in infants with established BPD randomized to higher (⩾96%) versus lower (90–94%) SpO2 target ranges. Methods Fifty infants born at <30 weeks gestational age who received supplemental respiratory support at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) were randomized before 44 weeks PMA to higher (n = 22) or lower (n = 28) SpO2 target ranges. Continuous pulse oximetry data were analyzed weekly to guide titration of respiratory support until 6 months CA. Primary outcomes were the incidence of IH (SpO2 < 80% for ⩾30 s) and proportion of time with hypoxemia (<80%) over the entire study period. Secondary outcomes were hypoxemia defined using alternative durations (⩾10 and ⩾60 s) and SpO2 thresholds (<90%) and clinical and developmental outcomes assessed through 6 months CA. Post hoc analyses compared rates of hypoxemia between the two study groups from enrollment to 48 weeks PMA among infants with at least 4 weeks of study data. Results Median duration of monitoring was 19.0 (interquartile range [IQR], 8.5–23.0) weeks, yielding 835 (IQR, 412–1,269) hours of data per participant. Over the entire study period, there was no difference between SpO2 target groups in the primary outcomes of median numbers of IH events <80% for ⩾30 seconds or time with SpO2 < 80%. Post hoc analyses of infants with at least 4 weeks of study data demonstrated higher incidence of IH events <80% and <90% for both ⩾60 and ⩾30 seconds between enrollment and 48 weeks PMA in the lower target group. Infants in the lower SpO2 target group were discharged at later PMA than infants in the higher SpO2 target group (median, 48.0 vs. 45.0 wk; P = 0.05). Conclusions A higher (⩾96%) compared with lower (90–94%) SpO2 target strategy is unlikely to significantly reduce hypoxemia between 36–44 weeks PMA and 6 months CA. A possible decrease in IH before 48 weeks PMA and modest clinical improvements associated with the higher target range will require confirmation in future studies. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03385330).

  PublisherDOI

• Gastroesophageal reflux during postpyloric versus gastric tube feeding in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

  Journal of Perinatology · 2025-04-10 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Duration of noninvasive respiratory support and risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death

  UNC Libraries · 2025-05-09

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Prognostic Accuracy of BPD Definitions for Long-Term Outcomes in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review

  PEDIATRICS · 2025-10-14 · 4 citations

  review

  BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Since the first description of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), multiple definitions to diagnose BPD and its grading have been published. Several studies have compared the predictive performance of these definitions for long-term outcomes. The objective was to identify the BPD definition with the optimal predictive performance for long-term respiratory and neurological outcomes in preterm infants. METHODS: An electronic search identified studies in Medline and Embase from inception to August 2024. Studies assessing the performance of one or more BPD definitions for predicting long-term respiratory and/or neurological outcomes were included. We used the Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool for bias assessment. Reported prognostic accuracy of 5 BPD definitions (the 1988 Shennan, the 2001 National Institutes of Health [NIH], the 2017 Canadian Neonatal Network, the 2018 NIH, and the 2019 Neonatal Research Network definition) was tabulated using specificity, sensitivity, C statistic, risk, or odds ratio. RESULTS: Of the 6045 identified studies, 18 were included. Heterogeneity between studies resulted in inconsistent prognostic accuracy for long-term outcomes. The 2001 NIH definition showed higher prognostic accuracy for respiratory and neurological outcomes compared with the 1988 Shennan BPD definition. Only 5 studies showed a low to moderate risk of bias, and a sensitivity analysis confirmed the results. The limitations included challenges in comparing studies due to population heterogeneity and outcome definitions. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review shows that comparisons between the 2001 NIH definition and newer BPD definitions yield inconsistent results for predicting long-term outcomes. None of the current BPD definitions consistently provided sufficient prognostic accuracy for long-term respiratory and neurodevelopmental sequelae in very preterm infants.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Microbiome of the Airway and the Risk for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in the Lungs of Extreme Preterms: The MARBLE Study

  NIH · $819k · 2018–2024

Frequent coauthors

• Sara B. DeMauro

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  71 shared

• Haresh Kirpalani

  Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

  67 shared

• Kevin Dysart

  67 shared

• Huayan Zhang

  Guangzhou Medical University

  51 shared

• Barbara Schmidt

  Jena University Hospital

  50 shared

• Nicolas A. Bamat

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  40 shared

• Scott A. Lorch

  34 shared

• Elizabeth E. Foglia

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  30 shared

Education

• MSCE

  University of Pennsylvania

• MD

  University of Washington