Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic condition which results from damage to an infants lungs, usually caused by mechanical ventilation and long-term use of oxygen. Over inflation of the alveoli can lead to inflammation causing damage to the tissues of the airway, the alveoli sacs and the surrounding blood vessels.

The disease is more severe if more alveoli and blood vessels are damaged.

These breathing treatments are life saving and common place in the NICU, but can lead to long term damage. Some infants experience symptoms such as laboured breathing, prolonged need for oxygen, more lung infections, and feeding difficulties.

Children and adults with a history of BPD who continue to have or develop respiratory symptoms are often labelled as asthmatic. However, a 2019 paper published in the Respiratory Research journal found that the lung function impairment and quality of life survey results for adults with a history of BPD differed from that of asthmatics highlighting the need for objective assessment of lung health. Click here to view our summay and a link to read the paper.

The America Lung Association have created an online resource discussing BPD and also has advice for parents on how they can discuss BPD with clinicians.

Click here to view their website.

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