User:Mr. Ibrahem/Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a lung disease in which babies need breathing support 28 days after birth or around the time they would have reached their original due date. Symptoms include increased work of breathing, in the absence of other conditions. Complications may include trouble feeding, GERD, pulmonary hypertension, delayed speech, heart problems like patent ductus arteriosus, asthma, and infections.

The primary risk factors are prematurity, prolonged mechanical ventilation or supplemental oxygen, sepsis, and chorioamnionitis before birth. Other risk factors include a mother who smokes. The underlying mechanism involves incompletely or abnormally developed and fragile lungs. It is a type of newborn breathing condition along with respiratory distress syndrome and meconium aspiration syndrome.

Treatment may involve nutrition, oxygen therapy, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), bronchodilators, diuretics, and caffeine. An antibody against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may also be given. Prevention may include the use of surfactant replacement therapy and corticosteroids before birth. Most of those affected gradually improve over two to four months. Some may experience permanent breathing difficulties while other may die as a result.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is relatively common. About half of those with a birth weight of less than 1,500 grams are affected. Males are more commonly affected than females. The condition was first named in 1967.