What is Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) / Chronic Lung Disease of Prematurity?
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a breathing disorder in premature infants where the infants' lungs become irritated and do not develop normally. It occurs most often in low-weight infants born more than two months early.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is also known as:
- Chronic lung disease of prematurity
- Chronic lung disease
- Neonatal chronic lung disease
- Respiratory insufficiency
How Common is Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia?
This breathing disorder is common in babies, born too early, whose lungs have not fully grown. As many as 10,000 babies each year in the United States could develop BPD. BPD is often seen in infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia can be mild, moderate or severe. While breathing difficulties improve, babies with BPD are often in the hospital and need a lot of care. Many children struggle with illnesses, especially during the first two years of life. BPD may also cause asthma-like symptoms like cough and wheezing throughout childhood.
