Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)

Symptoms

• Difficulty breathing: BPD can cause difficulty breathing due to the inflammation and scarring in the lungs. This may cause the infant to have a rapid breathing rate or to use extra muscle effort to breathe.
• Chest congestion: Infants with BPD may have excess mucus or fluid in the lungs, which can cause chest congestion and difficulty breathing.
• Persistent coughing: BPD can cause a persistent cough that produces phlegm or mucus.
• Wheezing: BPD can cause the airways to narrow, which can cause a whistling sound when the infant breathes.
• Bluish color to the skin: BPD can cause a bluish color to the skin due to low oxygen levels in the blood.

Causes

• Premature birth: Premature infants are more at risk of developing BPD due to the immaturity of their lungs.
• Low birth weight: Infants with a low birth weight are also at an increased risk of developing BPD.
• Need for mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy: Infants who require mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy are at an increased risk of BPD due to the stress these treatments can place on the lungs.

Risk factors

• Premature birth: Premature infants are more at risk of developing BPD due to the immaturity of their lungs.
• Low birth weight: Infants with a low birth weight are also at an increased risk of developing BPD.
• Need for mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy: Infants who require mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy are at an increased risk of BPD due to the stress these treatments can place on the lungs.
• Male gender: Male infants are more likely to develop BPD than female infants.
• Multiple pregnancies: Infants born as part of a multiple pregnancy (such as twins or triplets) are at an increased risk of BPD due to the increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
• Congenital abnormalities: Infants with congenital abnormalities, such as a heart defect, are at an increased risk of BPD.

Complications

• Respiratory failure: BPD can cause respiratory failure, a condition in which the lungs are unable to adequately oxygenate the blood.
• Heart problems: BPD can increase the risk of heart problems, such as heart attack, angina, and heart failure.
• Developmental delays: BPD can cause delays in an infant's physical and cognitive development due to the difficulty breathing and other symptoms.
• Lung infections: BPD can increase the risk of lung infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
• Asthma: Children who have had BPD may be at an increased risk of developing asthma later in life.

How to diagnose it?

• Physical exam: A physical exam can help a healthcare provider assess an infant's overall health and check for signs of BPD, such as shortness of breath and a persistent cough.
• Medical history: A healthcare provider will ask about the infant's medical history, including any exposures to irritants and any respiratory symptoms the infant has experienced.
• Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray can help a healthcare provider see the structure of the infant's lungs and check for signs of BPD, such as damage to the airways.
• Pulmonary function tests: These tests measure how well the infant's lungs are working by measuring the amount of air the infant can exhale and how quickly the infant can exhale it.
• Oxygen saturation test: This test measures the amount of oxygen in the infant's blood. Low oxygen levels can be a sign of BPD.

How to prevent

• Avoiding preterm delivery: One of the main risk factors for BPD is premature birth. To reduce the risk of BPD, it is important to try to avoid preterm delivery. This may involve receiving proper prenatal care, avoiding risky behaviors (such as smoking and substance abuse), and managing underlying health conditions that may increase the risk of preterm delivery.
• Proper management of mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy: If an infant requires mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy, it is important to carefully manage these treatments to minimize the risk of BPD. This may involve careful monitoring of the infant's oxygen levels and ventilation settings, and avoiding overuse of these treatments.
• Avoiding exposure to irritants: Exposure to irritants, such as tobacco smoke and air pollution, can increase the risk of BPD. It is important to avoid exposing infants to these irritants to reduce the risk of BPD.
• Vaccinations: Vaccines are available to protect against certain types of pneumonia, which can be a complication of BPD. These vaccines are especially important for infants with BPD, as they are at an increased risk of pneumonia.

When do you need to see a doctor?

• It is especially important to see a healthcare provider if your infant has any of the following symptoms:
• Difficulty breathing: If your infant is having difficulty breathing, such as a rapid breathing rate or the use of extra muscle effort to breathe, it is important to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
• Chest congestion: If your infant has excess mucus or fluid in the lungs, which can cause chest congestion and difficulty breathing, it is important to see a healthcare provider.
• Persistent coughing: If your infant has a persistent cough that produces phlegm or mucus, it is important to see a healthcare provider.
• Wheezing: If your infant has a whistling sound when they breathe, it is important to see a healthcare provider.
• Bluish color to the skin: If your infant has a bluish color to their skin due to low oxygen levels in the blood, it is important to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

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