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Bronchopulmonary
Dysplasia
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
(BPD) is a more prolonged type of lung disease that may develop
in babies who either need to spend a long time on ventilation,
or in oxygen, or suffer from infection. The exact causes of
BPD are unknown and more than one condition can determine
its development.
Preterm babies’ lungs
are immature and therefore more susceptible to the damage
coursed by ventilation, oxygen or infection. In addition the
ability to repair the damage is limited and consequently lung
growth and recovery is slowed down.
Although ventilation and
oxygen are known to contribute to the development of BPD,
many babies will continue to require oxygen and respiratory
support (nCPAP) for several weeks while the lungs recover
and a few babies will require additional oxygen support for
some time after they are allowed to go home.
Risk factors
are:
- Extremely low birth weight (below
1,000 g)
- Gestational age below 28 weeks
- Severe initial respiratory disease
- Prolonged mechanical ventilation
- PDA,
pneumothorax,
PIE
- Fluid overload
- Infections (respiratory, sepsis,
maternal chorioamnonitis)
- Race: Caucasian
- Gender: Male
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