Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, also known as BPD, is a chronic lung condition that affects prematurely born babies. In most cases, only babies born more than ten weeks prematurely will have BPD because their lungs have not had enough time to develop. However, bronchopulmonary dysplasia can also happen in other babies that weigh less than 4 pounds at birth if their lungs do not develop properly.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia, as it is a congenital disorder that is present at birth. There is also no cure for BPD, as lung damage cannot be reversed. There are, however, treatments that can keep bronchopulmonary dysplasia in check and keep it from causing continued lung damage.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is typically diagnosed before or soon after birth. Doctors know to watch out for it in premature babies, so BPD rarely goes undiagnosed. Following the diagnosis, it is important to pursue proper treatment to keep bronchopulmonary dysplasia in check and prevent it from worsening.
In all cases, children born with bronchopulmonary dysplasia will need to be hospitalized, at least for a short time. Sometimes, they may require hospitalization for up to the first three months of their life. Your baby needs hospitalization because they will need to be closely monitored due to their underdeveloped lungs. Your baby’s care will be handled by doctors, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
When babies are born with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, they are often unable to breathe on their own. Therefore, they will require mechanical ventilation via a ventilator to keep oxygen pumping into their lungs. The ventilator will force air into your baby’s lungs and breathe for them until their lungs are strong enough to breathe on their own.
Most babies with bronchopulmonary dysplasia will also require medications, such as the following:
Diuretics are medications that help remove excess fluid from the body. Diuretics, including furosemide and amiloride, make more space for the lungs to develop and are a good long-term treatment for BPD.
Bronchodilators, such as salbutamol and salmeterol, are medications that relax the muscles in the walls of your lungs. This keeps them from constricting and makes it easier for your baby to breathe.
Part of the problem with BPD is that it causes inflammation in the lungs, making it more difficult to breathe. To combat inflammation, your baby may need corticosteroids, such as budesonide or prednisone.
Because your baby will have weakened lungs and a compromised immune system, it is important to keep them updated on their vaccines and immunizations.
Because of your babies’ weakened lungs and immune system, they will be more at risk for lung infections. To prevent and treat potential infections, they will need antibiotics. There are many different antibiotics for lung infections, and the type your child needs will depend on the type of infection they have.
In addition to initial hospitalization and mechanical ventilation, as well as ongoing medications, babies with bronchopulmonary dysplasia will require ongoing therapy. This includes help from physical therapists, respiratory therapists, massage therapists, and speech therapists. Therapy will teach you how to help your baby with breathing exercises. It will also help your baby develop their lungs so that they can breathe on their own.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a serious and chronic lung condition that affects premature and undersized babies. While there is no cure or way to prevent BPD, receiving an early diagnosis and treatment can help your baby live a full and normal life. With proper treatment and ongoing care and therapy, your babies lungs will be fully developed by the age of two to five and they may not need additional care down the road.