Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a chronic lung disorder in newborns caused by extended use of a ventilator (a machine that helps air get in and out of the lungs), extended need for supplemental oxygen, or both.
This disorder most often occurs in infants who were born very premature, have severe lung disease, needed a ventilator or oxygen for extended periods, or have inadequately developed air sacs in their lungs.
Breathing may be rapid, labored, or both and the skin and/or lips may be bluish, pale, or gray, all of which are signs of continued need for oxygen therapy or ventilator support.
The diagnosis is based on how the infant is breathing and on how long the infant needed supplemental oxygen, a ventilator, or both.
Treatment includes giving supplemental oxygen, using a ventilator if necessary, providing good nutrition, and giving medications if necessary.
Most infants with this disorder survive.
Once discharged from the hospital, affected infants should not be exposed to cigarette smoke or fumes from a space heater or wood-burning stove.
nirsevimab is not available) is given to appropriate children to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common respiratory infection.
(See also Overview of General Problems in Newborns.)
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disorder that occurs most often in infants who were born very premature (delivered before 32 weeks of gestation) and with a severe lung disorder (such as respiratory distress syndrome) or an infection (such intra-amniotic infection or sepsis). BPD particularly affects infants who needed treatment with a ventilator (a machine that helps air get in and out of the lungs), supplemental oxygen, or both for more than a few weeks after birth.
Less commonly, BPD also can occur as a complication resulting from continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP—a technique that allows newborns to breathe on their own while receiving slightly pressurized air or oxygen through prongs placed in the nostrils).
The delicate tissues of the lungs can be injured when the air sacs are over-stretched by the ventilator or by the pressure delivered through CPAP, or when they are exposed to high oxygen levels for some time. As a result, the lungs become inflamed, and additional fluid accumulates within the lungs. Affected infants may not develop the normal number of air sacs.
BPD also may occur in some infants who were very premature but who did not have a lung disorder that required treatment with a ventilator.
Full-term newborns who have lung disorders occasionally develop BPD.
Symptoms of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Affected newborns usually breathe rapidly and may have signs of trouble breathing (respiratory distress), such as drawing in of the lower chest while breathing in, and low levels of oxygen in the blood. A low level of oxygen in the blood causes a bluish discoloration of the skin and/or lips (cyanosis).
In newborns of color, the skin may change to colors such as yellow-gray, gray, or white. These changes may be more easily seen in the mucous membranes lining the inside of the mouth, nose, and eyelids.
All of these symptoms and signs indicate that the newborn still needs supplemental oxygen or a ventilator.
Diagnosis of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Extended need for supplemental oxygen and/or a ventilator or CPAP
Chest x-ray
The diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia is suspected in infants who were born prematurely, who have received ventilation and/or supplemental oxygen or CPAP for an extended period of time (generally for several weeks or months), who have signs of respiratory distress, and who may still need supplemental oxygen.
The most important factors for confirming the diagnosis is that infants have needed supplemental oxygen and/or a ventilator or CPAP for at least the first 28 days of life and still have breathing problems.
The diagnosis is supported by the results of a chest x-ray.
Treatment of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Supplemental oxygen or a ventilator if needed
Increased calories for the newborn
Sometimes diuretics and restriction of fluids
palivizumab if nirsevimab is not available) to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection
Doctors diagnose lung infections and treat them as needed.
Because ventilation and supplemental oxygen may injure the lungs, doctors try to remove newborns from ventilators and CPAP as soon as possible and minimize the use of supplemental oxygen.
Good nutrition is crucial to help the newborn’s lungs grow and to keep the new lung tissue healthy. Newborns are fed an increased number of calories each day to help their lungs heal and grow.
Because fluid tends to accumulate in the inflamed lungs, sometimes the daily intake of fluids is restricted. Medications called diuretics may be used to help the newborn's kidneys remove the excess fluid into the urine.
Newborns who have advanced bronchopulmonary dysplasia may need ongoing supplemental oxygen. If a ventilator is needed for a long time, they may need to have a tube to the ventilator inserted through a surgically made opening in the windpipe called a tracheostomy.
After discharge from the hospital, infants with BPD should not be exposed to cigarette smoke or fumes from a space heater or wood-burning stove. They should be protected as much as possible from exposure to people who have upper respiratory tract infections.
palivizumab is given only if nirsevimab is not available (see also Prevention of RSV).
Infants over 6 months of age should also receive the influenza (flu) vaccine.
Prognosis for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia usually gradually improve after 2 to 4 months of supplemental oxygen or assisted ventilation. Although a few infants with very severe BPD die even after months of care, most infants survive.
Over several months the seriousness of the lung injury diminishes as healthy lung tissue grows. However, later on, these children may have problems with growth and problems with the growth and development of the brain or central nervous system. These children are at increased risk of developing asthma later in life as well as lung infections such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia starts before an infant is born. Prolonging pregnancy, even if only for a few days to weeks, and giving the mother corticosteroids to help the infant's lungs mature more quickly can reduce the seriousness of lung disease in the premature newborn at birth (respiratory distress syndrome).
If a ventilator
Premature infants may be born before their lungs make surfactant, a substance that coats the inside of the air sacs and allows the air sacs to remain open. The missing surfactant may cause respiratory distress syndrome and poor lung function, increasing risk of BPD. To help prevent respiratory distress syndrome, after birth, some newborns are given surfactant into their windpipe (trachea).
