BPD, what happens in your lungs?
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic condition that causes babies to have difficulty breathing. It occurs primarily in babies born prematurely. When a baby is born prematurely, their lungs are often not fully developed, meaning they don't function properly. The baby then needs help breathing. BPD is diagnosed when the baby still needs supplemental oxygen in what would be week 36 of pregnancy. This breathing assistance can damage the lungs.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia can be severe or mild. The further along the pregnancy goes to term, the more developed the lungs are. There are two forms of BPD: classic BPD (where the lungs are damaged and scar tissue forms as a result of the breathing assistance) and new-onset BPD (where the problem is primarily the underdevelopment of the lungs).
The cause of BPD is not entirely clear. It occurs in premature babies because their lungs are not properly developed. Furthermore, the breathing assistance plays a significant role.
Difficulty breathing is the main symptom. Babies with BPD may experience rapid breathing, wheezing, coughing, blue discolored lips and fingernails (cyanosis), fluid retention, and difficulty drinking immediately after birth.
Sometimes, slightly increasing the amount of oxygen in the incubator is enough. But usually, the baby needs help breathing. They also receive medication and tube feeding.
Approximately 300 to 400 babies are born with BPD each year, about half of whom have a severe form. Often, the lungs remain sensitive to infections and external stimuli, such as dust and tobacco smoke, even later in life.
Read more about BPD at www.longfonds.nl/wat-is-bpd