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 Ventilators Ventilation is the same thing as breathing. It's the movement of air into and out of your lungs. Sometimes your breathing needs to be assisted by a ventilator. A ventilator is a machine that... read more or needed oxygen early in life for a long time.
The lung damage from BPD makes babies need extra oxygen
Most babies get better after several months, but severe cases can be fatal
BPD can slow your child's growth and development and increase the risk of asthma Asthma in Children Asthma causes the airways to become narrow, which makes it hard for your child to breathe. Asthma often starts in childhood, especially before age 5. Many common things can trigger asthma attacks... read more
or pneumonia Pneumonia Pneumonia is an infection deep in your lungs. The infection involves the small air sacs in your lungs (alveoli). Pneumonia is different from infection of the air passages (bronchi) in your lungs... read more
What causes BPD?
If your baby has a breathing problem, a ventilator Ventilators Ventilation is the same thing as breathing. It's the movement of air into and out of your lungs. Sometimes your breathing needs to be assisted by a ventilator. A ventilator is a machine that... read more 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:
Was very premature
Has a serious lung problem, like respiratory distress syndrome Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Newborns Respiratory has to do with breathing. Respiratory distress syndrome is a kind of breathing problem that can happen to newborn babies. Respiratory distress syndrome happens when your baby's lungs... read more
Had a serious infection in the womb or right after birth
What are the symptoms of BPD?
Symptoms in babies include:
Fast breathing
Looking like they're struggling to breathe
Blue skin caused by low oxygen levels
How can doctors tell if my baby has BPD?
Doctors suspect BPD if your baby:
Was born prematurely and needed a ventilator for a long time
Continues to need extra oxygen or to be on the ventilator after the original lung problem has gotten better
To know for sure doctors will do:
How do doctors treat BPD?
To treat BPD, doctors will:
Give your baby oxygen through a small tube placed in the nose
Have your baby take extra breast milk or formula to help your baby’s lungs grow
Give medicine to make your baby urinate (pee) to get extra fluid out of the body, including the lungs
When your baby leaves the hospital, doctors will:
Have you keep your baby away from cigarette smoke
Give your baby medicine and the flu vaccine Influenza Vaccine The influenza virus vaccine helps protect against influenza. Two types of influenza virus, type A and type B, regularly cause seasonal epidemics of influenza in the United States. There are... read more to prevent lung infections
Most babies get better after several months, but your child may have a higher chance of asthma Asthma in Children Asthma causes the airways to become narrow, which makes it hard for your child to breathe. Asthma often starts in childhood, especially before age 5. Many common things can trigger asthma attacks... read more or pneumonia Pneumonia Pneumonia is an infection deep in your lungs. The infection involves the small air sacs in your lungs (alveoli). Pneumonia is different from infection of the air passages (bronchi) in your lungs... read more later in life.
