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Long-term pulmonary outcomes of patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Anita Bhandari1, Sharon McGrath-Morrow

  • 1Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT 06106, USA. abhanda@ccmckids.org

Seminars in Perinatology
|April 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease in infants. Long-term monitoring of lung function in BPD survivors is crucial due to persistent respiratory issues and potential for COPD development.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most frequent cause of chronic lung disease in infancy.
  • Despite advances in neonatal care, BPD incidence remains unchanged, with long-term effects persisting beyond infancy.
  • BPD survivors face increased hospitalizations, respiratory morbidity, and medication needs compared to peers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the persistent respiratory abnormalities in BPD survivors.
  • To emphasize the long-term implications of BPD, including potential COPD development.
  • To underscore the necessity of ongoing lung function monitoring in BPD survivors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on BPD outcomes.
  • Analysis of long-term respiratory effects in infants with BPD.
  • Assessment of radiological and functional lung abnormalities in survivors.

Main Results:

  • BPD survivors exhibit persistent lung function abnormalities, particularly in small airways.
  • Radiological abnormalities and emphysema are common even without symptoms.
  • Concerns exist regarding exercise tolerance and accelerated lung function decline.

Conclusions:

  • Long-term effects of BPD are significant and require continued investigation.
  • BPD survivors are susceptible to developing a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) phenotype.
  • Close monitoring of lung function in BPD survivors is imperative for managing long-term health.

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