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Pulmonary Hypertension in Preterm Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Christopher D Baker1, Steven H Abman1, Peter M Mourani2
1Section of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora, Colarado. ; Pediatric Heart Lung Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora, Colarado.
Insights
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) can cause pulmonary hypertension (PH) in premature infants. This review covers PH pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management in BPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease in premature infants, significantly contributes to perinatal morbidity and mortality.
- Premature birth disrupts lung development, leading to impaired gas exchange and pulmonary vascular remodeling, potentially causing pulmonary hypertension (PH).
- Pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) and PH are common in BPD, even in milder cases, necessitating a better understanding of their pathophysiology.
Approach:
- This article reviews the pathophysiology of PH in preterm infants with BPD.
- It summarizes current clinical recommendations for diagnosing and managing PH in this vulnerable population.
- The review targets neonatologists, primary care providers, pediatric cardiologists, and pulmonologists.
Key Points:
- PH definition and diagnostic methods in BPD infants require further clarification.
- Understanding the cascade of events from premature birth to PH is crucial.
- Effective management strategies for PH in BPD are essential for improving outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis and treatment of PH in BPD are critical for reducing perinatal morbidity and mortality.
- Further research is needed to refine PH definitions and management guidelines.
- This review provides a comprehensive overview for clinicians managing PH in preterm infants with BPD.
Abstract:
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the chronic lung disease of prematurity, is a significant contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality. Premature birth disrupts pulmonary vascular growth and initiates a cascade of events that result in impaired gas exchange, abnormal vasoreactivity, and pulmonary vascular remodeling that may ultimately lead to pulmonary hypertension (PH). Even infants who appear to have mild BPD suffer from varying degrees of pulmonary vascular disease (PVD). Although recent studies have enhanced our understanding of the pathobiology of PVD and PH in BPD, much remains unknown with respect to how PH should be properly defined, as well as the most accurate methods for the diagnosis and treatment of PH in infants with BPD. This article will provide neonatologists and primary care providers, as well as pediatric cardiologists and pulmonologists, with a review of the pathophysiology of PH in preterm infants with BPD and a summary of current clinical recommendations for managing PH in this population.
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