Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (bpd)

[Dianne]

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a chronic lung disorder in newborns caused by extended use of a ventilator (a machine that helps air get in and out of the lungs) and/or extended need for supplemental oxygen.

This disorder most often occurs in infants who were born very premature, have severe lung disease, needed a ventilator or oxygen for extended periods, or have inadequately developed air sacs in their lungs.
Breathing may be rapid, labored, or both and the skin and/or lips may be bluish, all of which are signs of continued need for oxygen therapy or ventilator support.
The diagnosis is based on how the infant is breathing and on how long the infant needed supplemental oxygen, a ventilator, or both.
Most infants with this disorder survive.
Once discharged from the hospital, affected infants should not be exposed to cigarette smoke or fumes from a space heater or wood-burning stove and may be given palivizumab during the fall and winter months to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common respiratory infection.
Treatment includes giving supplemental oxygen, using a ventilator if necessary, providing good nutrition, and giving other drugs if necessary.

(See also Overview of General Problems in Newborns.)
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disorder that occurs most often in infants who were born very premature (delivered before 32 weeks of gestation) and with a severe lung disorder (such as respiratory distress syndrome). BPD particularly affects infants who needed treatment with a ventilator (a machine that helps air get in and out of the lungs), supplemental oxygen, or both for more than a few weeks after birth. Less commonly, BPD also can occur as a complication resulting from