Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a morbidity of prematurity with implications into adulthood on respiratory and neurologic health. Multiple risk factors contribute to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia leading to examination of various strategies of prevention. Systemic corticosteroids are one prevention strategy with a large body of data, creating an ongoing controversy regarding the risks and benefits of therapy. Careful consideration of the available data along with the clinical characteristics of the individual infant is required before using this powerful therapy.