Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease that primarily affects premature infants who require prolonged oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation. The constant pressure and excess oxygen levels from these interventions can damage the delicate lung tissues of premature infants, leading to inflammation and scarring of the lungs. BPD occurs when the lungs are disrupted during their development in the womb or shortly after birth. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, and bluish skin color. While most infants recover fully over time, in rare cases BPD can cause serious complications. Treatment focuses on minimizing further lung damage and supporting lung growth through oxygen supplementation, nutrition management, and preventing infections.

1. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

2. Introduction of Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that most often occurs in
low-weight or premature infants who have received supplemental oxygen or have spent long
periods of time on a breathing machine (mechanical ventilation), such as infants who have
acute respiratory distress syndrome. The disease can also occur in older infants who
experience abnormal lung development or some infants that have had an infection before
birth (antenatal infection) or placental abnormalities.

3. Causes of Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia caused by damage to the delicate tissue of the lungs. This
damage is most often occurs in infants who have required extended treatment with
supplemental oxygen or breathing assistance with a machine (mechanical ventilation) such
as infants who are born prematurely and have acute respiratory distress syndrome.
When infants receive mechanical ventilation, a tube is inserted through the windpipe and the
machine pushes air into the lungs, which are often underdeveloped in premature infants. In
some cases, the levels of oxygen required for an affected infant to survive are higher than
normally would be found in the air we breathe. Over time, the constant pressure from the
ventilator and the excess oxygen levels can damage the delicate tissues of an infant’s lungs
causing inflammation and scarring. The exact, underlying mechanisms that cause classic or
new Bronchopulmonary dysplasia are complex and not fully understood.

4. The causes of Bronchopulmonary dysplasia one infant may be different from the causes in
another. Most likely, multiple different environmental and genetic factors all play a role in
the development of the disorder.

5. Symptoms of Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Some infants who develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia have a condition called
respiratory distress syndrome (RSD), which is a breathing disorder that affects some
premature infants immediately after birth. It is characterized by rapid, shallow
breathing and leads to the need for oxygen and respiratory support in the first days of
life. Affected infants may also exhibit shortness of breath, a chronic cough, flaring of
the nostrils when breathing, and bluish discoloration of the skin due to low levels of
oxygen in the blood.
In most cases, infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia recover fully and damage to
the lungs progressively improves with growth. In a few rare cases, BPD can cause life-
threatening complications during infancy such as high blood pressure of the main
artery of the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) and failure of the right side of the heart.

6. Treatments of Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
treatment for infants with Bronchopulmonary dysplasia geared toward minimizing
damage to the lungs and providing enough support to allow an affected infant’s lungs heal
and grow. The specific therapies used may change as an affected infant grows and the
clinical picture changes.
Newborns with bronchopulmonary dysplasia usually receive care in the hospital.
Treatment may include mechanical ventilation. Ventilators are only used when absolutely
necessary and affected infants are taken off as early as possible. Some infants may require
supplemental oxygen after being taking off mechanical ventilation. Proper nutritional
management is also necessary to ensure the proper growth and development of the
lungs. Some affected infants may require the insertion of a gastrointestinal (GI) tube
directly into the stomach to ensure the sufficient intake of calories and nutrients. Because
infants with BPD are at risk for the accumulation of excess fluid in the lungs, daily fluid
intake may be monitored and adjusted.

7. Infants with BPD remain at a greater risk of developing respiratory infections and
pneumonia than the general population. They should avoid individuals who have upper
respiratory infections. In some cases, affected infants may receive preventive therapy
with palivizumab, an antibody that protects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
infection. RSV is a common and contagious winter infection that can potentially cause
pneumonia.