Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)

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.

• BPD happens most often in very premature babies

• 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 or pneumonia

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:

• Was very premature

• Has a serious lung problem, like respiratory distress syndrome

• Had a serious infection in the womb or right after birth

Symptoms in babies include:

• Fast breathing

• Looking like they're struggling to breathe

• Blue skin caused by low oxygen levels

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:

• Chest x-ray

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 to prevent lung infections

Most babies get better after several months, but your child may have a higher chance of asthma or pneumonia later in life.