What Is Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia?

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, or about 1,000 grams, at birth
• Have breathing problems at birth
• Have an infection during or shortly after birth

Some of these infants also may need long-term breathing support from nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) machines or ventilators.

Overview

Many 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 (sur-FAK-tant).

Surfactant is a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs. It helps keep them open so an infant can breathe in air once he or she is born.

Without surfactant, the lungs collapse, and the infant has to work hard to breathe. He or she might not be able to breathe in enough oxygen to support the body's organs. The lack of oxygen may damage the infant's brain and other organs if proper treatment isn't given.

Babies who have RDS are treated with surfactant replacement therapy. They also may get oxygen therapy. Shortly after birth, some babies who have RDS also are put on machines to help them breathe, such as NCPAP or ventilators.

Most babies who have RDS start to get better within 2 to 4 weeks of their births. However, some babies get worse and need more oxygen and/or breathing support from NCPAP or a ventilator.

If premature infants still require oxygen therapy by the time they reach their original due dates, they're diagnosed with BPD.

Outlook

Advances in care for premature infants now make it possible for more of these babies to survive. However, these premature infants are at high risk for BPD. This is due to delayed lung and surfactant development and a higher risk of excess fluid in the lungs.

Most babies who have BPD get better in time. However, they may need to continue treatment for months or even years. They may continue to have lung problems throughout childhood and even into adulthood. There's some concern about whether people who had BPD as babies can ever develop normal lung function.

As children who have BPD grow, their parents can help 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.

Revised September 2009