What is Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia?

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a form of longer lasting lung disease. It occurs in babies who have had severe Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), lung infection, or were extremely premature at birth.

What causes BPD?

BPD is a reaction of the premature lung to its disease and to the oxygen and mechanical ventilation that were needed to treat the baby's lung disease. Occasionally, very premature infants get BPD even if they did not need mechanical ventilation or much extra oxygen after birth.

How will I know if my baby has BPD?

BPD is usually diagnosed if a baby continues to have an abnormal chest x-ray and still needs oxygen by the time the baby is 36 weeks of gestation (a month before the due date). However, your baby's doctor may be concerned enough to treat your baby's continuing lung disease long before this date. A baby with BPD may also have one or more of the following.:

• Rapid breathing
• More difficult breathing
• Wheezing or noisy breathing
• Wet or crackling sound to the lungs when listened to with a stethoscope
• More difficult time growing

How is BPD treated?

• A baby with BPD needs extra oxygen for a long period of time. This may be several weeks or months, occasionally for more than a year. Babies with BPD may be discharged to home on oxygen.