Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Abstract

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a syndrome characterized by the oxygen dependence, radiographic abnormalities and chronic respiratory symptomatology persisting for greater than 28 days of life in premature infants who sustained severe respiratory distress necessitating mechanical ventilation.
The etiology of bronchopulmonary dysplasia is multifatorial, with the major factors being – premature birth, respiratory distress, oxygen supplementation, mechanical ventilation, inflammation, pulmonary edema, and infection. Just as the pathophysiology of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, its treatment is multifaceted. It should be emphasized that continous oxygen therapy combined with avoidance of infectious hazards and a good nutrition have the strongest rationale for treatment of the infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Oxigen therapy remains the essential element of BPD care. Reducing the incidence of premature birth would reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Ensuring that
all pregnant women receive adequate prenatal care would seem to be a commitment whose historical time has come in our efforts to prevent this disturbe.