When babies are born prematurely, they may need oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation to help them breathe while their lungs are still developing. While necessary, these breathing therapies can damage the lungs and lead to a chronic condition known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
BPD therapies alleviate breathing difficulties and prevent new damage from forming in the lungs. In this case, doctors may use one or more of the following treatments to improve breathing function in infants.
Corticosteroids are a class of medication used to decrease inflammation in the body. With BPD, these medications can ease swelling in the lungs and airways to improve breathing. Along with making it easier for infants to breathe, corticosteroids can help prevent new lung damage from affecting lung function further.
Surfactant therapy can improve lung function in premature infants, which can indirectly lower their risk of developing lung conditions that require oxygen therapy and/or mechanical ventilation. Lung surfactants are a natural substance needed for proper lung function, and preterm infants may lack surfactants when they are born.
Research shows that stem cell therapies can treat BPD thanks to their anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. While early testing shows promise, more research and clinical trials are needed before these therapies can be available on a wider scale.