Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

(BPD)
Description
Is a chronic lung disease that can affect newborns or
premature babies with underdeveloped lungs.
“Broncho” means the airways, or the bronchial tubes,
which allows oxygen to travel into the lungs.
“Pulmonary” is pertaining to the alveoli, which are the
tiny air sacs located in the lungs, where gas exchange of
oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs.
“Dysplasia” means abnormal changes in the cell of the
smaller airways and the alveoli.
Newborn babies that are diagnosed with BPD has a
difficult time breathing, because their lungs are unable
to perform gas exchange in the alveoli.
Genetics
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is not genetics.
Incidence and Prevalence in the
United States
Incidence:
Affect 1 in 54,400 or 0 in 5,000
Prevalence:
◦ 5,000 or 10,000 new cases of newborns with BPD
Predominant Age and Sex
Usuallyaffect premature infants more than 10
weeks before their due dates.
Signs and Symptoms
Rapid, shallow breathing
Sucked in ribs
Chest (retraction)
Coughing
Paradoxical respiration
Wheezing
Abnormal posture
Craning necks
Signs and Symptoms (Cont.)
Bluish skin color
Episodic cyanosis
Episodic asthma like symptoms
Respiratory tract infection

Irritability
Fever
Nasal congestion
Changes in breathing pattern
Wheezing
Risk Factors
Congenital heart disease
Prematurity, usually in infants born before 32 weeks of
gestation
Severe respiratory or lung infection
Labs or Procedures Required
for Diagnosis
Chest X Ray
Blood test
Echocardiography
History and physical examination
Chest CT scan
Bronchoscopy
Lung biopsy
Differential Diagnosis
Asthma
Treatment
There is no cure, treatment is geared to support
breathing and provide oxygen by ventilator.
Using radiant warmers, or incubators
Intensive care unit
Sever cases, short course of steroids, anti-
inflammation drug.
Antibiotics, to fight bacterial infection to
prevent from developing pneumonia.
Type of Diet or Education Given to
the Patient
Severe cases, some babies require IV feeding, TPN, fats,
proteins, sugar, and nutrients.
Prognosis
No cure for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.
Slowly get better over time with oxygen therapy.
As infants, their risk for repeated and serious pulmonary
infection like asthma, cardiac dysfunction, and neurologic
impairments.
Remain at high risk for pulmonary morbidity and mortality
for the first 2 years of life.
Some infant might not survive.
Some are left with chronic lung damage.
Have been reported 335 deaths from BPD