Bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic lung disease

Abstract

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common cause of chronic lung disease in infancy [1]. The consensus definition of BPD has been summarized in Table 65.1. The “classic” BPD described by Northway in 1967 has now been replaced by less severe forms of “new” BPD, which are infrequently found in patients >30 weeks of gestation and with birth weights (BW) > 1200 grams. Presently, infants who weigh <1250 grams account for 97% of all BPD patients [2]. The incidence of BPD, defined as oxygen need at 36 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA), was 52% (BW 501–750 g), 34% (BW 751–1000 g), 15% (BW 1001–1200g), and 7% (BW 1201–1500 g). Using a physiologic definition based on an oxygen reduction challenge at 36 weeks PMA led to a 10% decrease in the incidence of BPD.