Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease that occurs in premature babies and newborns . Depending on the severity of the disease, BPD can extend into adulthood and cause long-term damage to the lungs.
Below you will find further information and selected specialists for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a chronic lung disease that occurs in premature babies who have received artificial respiration. Premature babies are babies who are born before the 37th week of pregnancy. If left untreated, the disease can lead to damage to the lungs.
The typical signs of the disease are
Affected infants usually breathe too quickly and can easily get into respiratory distress as a result. The resulting low oxygen saturation of the blood causes a bluish discoloration of the skin.
Other premature babies have difficulty pushing the air out of their lungs and their exhalation slows down. As a result of this delay, air often remains in the lungs, which leads to overstretching of the organ.
The increased breathing activity leads to disturbances in the heart rate and overstraining of the right ventricle.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a lung disease in newborns that can be caused by the use of a ventilator @ Tobilander /AdobeStock
The main cause of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is premature birth with a very low birth weight. Babies born before the 32nd week of pregnancy with a weight of less than 1500 grams are particularly at risk.
In these small premature babies, the lungs are often not yet fully developed. As a result, the immature lungs are not able to produce surfactant, which is important for breathing.
However, babies need this endogenous substance to be able to breathe independently. Surfactant is only sufficiently available to babies from the 35th week of pregnancy.
This is a fluid that lines the inside of the lungs. It has the task of reducing the surface tension of the alveoli and keeping the airways clear. This allows babies to breathe normally.
Premature babies do not yet have a sufficient amount of surfactant. They are therefore often given artificial respiration.
Oxygen is supplied at an immense ventilation pressure and a high oxygen concentration over a long period of time.
This can injure the lung tissue. It also increases the risk of infections, especially pneumonia.
A further complication is the accumulation of fluid in the lung tissue, which can cause pulmonary oedema.
To diagnose bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), it is first important to determine the oxygen saturation in the infant's blood.
Doctors also take an X-ray or CT scan to assess the extent of the lung damage. If the premature baby's cardiac activity is restricted, the doctor will also arrange for an ultrasound examination of the heart.
All measures are aimed at preventing further damage to the lungs and stabilizing the baby's lung function.
In addition to administering oxygen, the focus is on treating inflammation. The temporary administration of cortisone plays an important role.
If the airways are constricted, inhalation therapy can be carried out using medication. This causes the bronchial tubes to dilate and keeps the airways clear.
If pulmonary oedema occurs, dehydrating medication is used. Doctors treat increased pulmonary pressure with vasodilator medication.
If the very young child is able to do this, physiotherapeutic treatment is advisable at an early stage. This primarily includes respiratory gymnastics.
Special positioning is also used. Doctors also compensate for the weight loss of premature babies by increasing their energy intake.
The administration of calcium, phosphate and vitamin D is important.
This helps doctors to prevent bone softening and instability of the chest.
If the premature baby has been on artificial respiration for a long period of time, the doctor can use a low-pressure ventilator. This makes it possible to slowly wean the baby off the ventilator later on.
The first vaccinations, preferably against whooping cough and pneumococcus, should be given before the child is discharged from hospital. After the sixth month, a further vaccination against influenza is advisable.
There is also the option of a special vaccination against the RS virus, which is responsible for most respiratory infections in infants.
To prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), premature births should be avoided. Pregnant women at risk of premature birth are therefore given corticosteroids to stimulate the maturation of the baby's lungs. Also to prevent inflammation. This precaution is known as lung maturation induction.
Artificial respiration is a major intervention in the body that can lead to long-term damage to the lungs and brain @ Mark /AdobeStock
Thanks to advances in modern medicine, premature babies now have a good chance of surviving the disease. Only in a few cases with severe progression and pronounced damage to the lungs or heart does this not apply.
Many babies even recover completely from the lung disease. Babies usually achieve the most significant improvement within the first year of life.
However, there is still a tendency to develop respiratory diseases. These include bronchitis and pneumonia in particular.
It is therefore important to reduce the risk of infection for the child. Parents should avoid large gatherings of people, for example in waiting rooms, especially in the winter months.
Another risk factor is tobacco smoke, which can cause inflammatory reactions or exacerbate existing inflammation. The same applies to emissions from heaters and wood-burning fireplaces.
Once bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has been overcome, the child must attend regular follow-up examinations.
The aim of the follow-up examinations is to check lung function and initiate any necessary treatment. In some cases, former premature babies are more susceptible to respiratory diseases into adulthood.
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