What is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)?
"Broncho-" refers to the breathing passages inside the lungs and "-pulmonary" means lungs. "Dysplasia" means abnormal tissues. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is long-term lung damage that happens to some babies who had serious breathing problems at birth.
BPD usually happens to babies who were on a ventilator or needed oxygen early in life for a long time.
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BPD happens most often in very premature babies
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The lung damage from BPD makes babies need extra oxygen
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Most babies get better after several months, but severe cases can be fatal
What causes BPD?
If your baby has a breathing problem, a ventilator and extra oxygen can be life-saving. But the ventilator and the oxygen can damage your baby's lungs if they're used for a long time.
Lung damage is more likely if your baby:
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Was very premature
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Has a serious lung problem, like respiratory distress syndrome
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Had a serious infection in the womb or right after birth
What are the symptoms of BPD?
How can doctors tell if my baby has BPD?
How do doctors treat BPD?
To treat BPD, doctors will:
When your baby leaves the hospital, doctors will:
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Have you keep your baby away from cigarette smoke
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Give your baby medicine and the flu vaccine to prevent lung infections
