Key Points

• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a serious lung condition that affects infants. It mostly affects premature infants who need oxygen therapy (oxygen given through nasal prongs, a mask, or a breathing tube).
• Infants who develop BPD usually are born more than 10 weeks before their due dates, weigh less than 2 pounds (about 1,000 grams), have breathing problems at birth, or have an infection during or shortly after birth. The earlier a baby is born before his or her due date and the lower his or her weight at birth, the greater the risk of BPD.
• Most babies who develop BPD are born with serious respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). RDS is a breathing disorder that mostly affects premature newborns. These infants' lungs aren't fully developed and/or aren't able to make enough surfactant, a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs.
• Treatments for RDS include surfactant replacement therapy, breathing support with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) or a ventilator, oxygen therapy, and medicines to treat fluid buildup in the lungs.
• If premature infants still require oxygen therapy by the time they reach their original due dates, they're diagnosed with BPD.
• BPD develops as a result of an infant's lungs becoming irritated or inflamed. A number of factors can damage premature infants' lungs, including mechanical ventilation (that is, breathing support from a ventilator), high levels of oxygen, infections, and other causes.
• Because most babies who develop BPD are born with serious RDS, the first signs and symptoms often are those of RDS. These include rapid, shallow breathing; sharp pulling in of the chest below and between the ribs with each breath; grunting sounds; and flaring of the nostrils.
• Infants who have BPD also may have trouble feeding and delayed growth, and they may develop pulmonary hypertension or cor pulmonale (failure of the right side of the heart).
• BPD can be mild, moderate, or severe. The diagnosis depends on how much extra oxygen a baby needs at the time of his or her original due date. It also depends on how long the baby needs oxygen therapy.
• The goals of treatment for babies who have BPD are to reduce further injury to the lungs and provide nutrition and other support to help the lungs grow and recover.
• Most babies who have BPD get better in time. However, they may need to continue treatments for months or even years. They may continue to have lung problems throughout childhood and even into adulthood.
• As children who have BPD grow, their parents can help them reduce the risk of BPD complications. Parents can encourage healthy eating habits and good nutrition. They also can avoid cigarette smoke and other lung irritants.