Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Alternate Names : BPD
Definition Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a chronic lung disorder that may affect infants who have been exposed to high levels of oxygen therapy and ventilator support.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia occurs in severely ill infants who have received high concentrations of oxygen for long periods of time and prolonged support on respiratory ventilators during treatment for respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn.
The lung injury that produces bronchopulmonary dysplasia may be caused by a combination of factors: increased pressure in the lungs from mechanical ventilators or from the oxygen toxicity that occurs when the lung is exposed to very high concentrations of oxygen for prolonged periods.
Risk factors include prematurity, respiratory infection, congenital heart disease, or other severe illness in the newborn requiring therapy with oxygen and/or ventilators.
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