Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- Article
- 2021-02-01
Most newborns who develop BPD are born more than 10 weeks before their due date, weigh less than 2 pounds at birth, and have difficulty breathing. Infections that occur before or shortly after birth can also contribute to BPD.
Most babies who develop borderline disorder are born with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). RDS is a breathing disorder that mainly affects premature newborns. If premature neonates still require oxygen therapy by the time they reach 36 weeks of gestation, they will be diagnosed with BPD.
Some newborns may require long-term oxygen or respiratory support from nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) machines, ventilators, and medications such as bronchodilators. They can continue to have breathing problems throughout childhood and even into adulthood.
As children with BPD grow, their parents can help reduce the risk of BPD complications. Parents can encourage healthy eating habits and good nutrition. They can also avoid cigarette smoke and other lung irritants.
Symptoms
Many babies who develop borderline disorder are born with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). A first sign of BPD is when preterm newborns - usually those born more than 10 weeks prematurely - still need oxygen therapy by the time they reach a 36 week gestation.
Newborns with severe BPD may have trouble eating, which can lead to slowed growth. These babies can also develop:
- Pulmonary hypertension, which is increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. These arteries carry blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygen.
- Cor pulmonale, which is the failure of the right side of the heart. Persistent high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries and the lower right chamber of the heart causes this condition.
Therapy
Treatment in the NICU is designed to minimize stress in newborns and meet their basic needs for warmth, nutrition and protection. Treatment for BPD usually includes respiratory support with a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) machine or a ventilator, other supportive treatments, and other procedures and treatments.
Once doctors have diagnosed BPD, some or all of the treatments used for RDS will continue in the NICU.
Respiratory support
Newborns with BPD often need respiratory support or oxygen therapy until their lungs start making enough surfactant. Until recently, a mechanical fan was usually used. The ventilator was connected to a breathing hose that ran through the newborn's mouth or nose into the trachea.
Today, more and more newborns are receiving respiratory support from NCPAP. NCPAP gently pushes air into the baby's lungs through protrusions in the newborn's nostrils.
Other supportive treatments
Treatment in the NICU helps to reduce stress in babies and meet their basic needs for warmth, nutrition and protection. Such treatment can be:
- Monitor fluid intake to make sure fluid is not accumulating in the baby's lungs.
- Checking pulmonary artery pressure with echocardiography for moderate or severe BPD.
- Checking the amount of oxygen in the blood with sensors on fingers or toes.
- Administer fluids and nutrients through needles or tubes that are inserted into the veins of the newborn. This helps prevent malnutrition and promotes growth. Nutrition is crucial for the growth and development of the lungs. Later, babies may be fed breast milk or newborn formula through feeding tubes that pass through their nose or mouth and into their stomach or intestines.lined.
- Measuring blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and temperature by means of sensors stuck to the baby's body.
- Use a radiant heater or incubator to keep newborns warm and reduce the risk of hypothermia.
As BPD improves, babies are slowly weaned from NCPAP or ventilation equipment until they can breathe on their own. These newborns will likely need oxygen therapy for some time.
Other procedures and treatments
Newborns with BPD can spend several weeks or months in the hospital. This allows them to get the care they need, including:
- Tracheostomy for prolonged ventilation. A tracheostomy is a surgically created hole. It passes through the front of the neck and into the trachea or windpipe. Your child's doctor will put the ventilator's breathing hose through the hole. A tracheostomy can enable your baby to interact, talk, and develop other skills with you and the NICU staff.
- Physical therapy to strengthen your child's muscles and clear mucus from the lungs.
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