Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

What it is

From: Orphanet

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a chronic respiratory disease that results from complications related to lung injury during the treatment of infant acute respiratory distress syndrome in low-birth-weight premature infants or from abnormal lung development in older infants. Clinical signs are tachypnea, tachycardia and signs of respiratory distress such as intercostal recession, grunting and nasal flaring.

Reported clinical features and what the terms mean

The following findings are associated with this condition in Orphanet. They are not a checklist for diagnosing yourself, and they do not all occur in every affected person. Some are examination, imaging or laboratory findings that cannot be recognised at home.

The frequency labels describe how often a finding was reported among people with the condition in the source. They do not give the chance that a person with that symptom has the condition. Definitions below reproduce HPO terminology; they explain the term, not the likely severity in an individual.

Abnormal lung morphology · Very frequent (99-80%)

Any structural anomaly of the lung.

Chronic lung disease · Very frequent (99-80%)

According to the definitions of the American and British Thoracic Societies, including pulmonary functional tests, X-rays, and CT scans for items such as fibrosis, bronchiectasis, bullae, emphysema, nodular or lymphomatous abnormalities.

Cough · Very frequent (99-80%)

A sudden, audible expulsion of air from the lungs through a partially closed glottis, preceded by inhalation.

Dyspnea · Very frequent (99-80%)

Difficult or labored breathing. Dyspnea is a subjective feeling only the patient can rate, e.g., on a Borg scale.

Hyperoxemia · Very frequent (99-80%)

An abnormally high level of blood oxygen.

Premature birth · Very frequent (99-80%)

The birth of a baby of less than 37 weeks of gestational age.

Respiratory distress · Very frequent (99-80%)

Respiratory distress is objectively observable as the physical or emotional consequences from the experience of dyspnea. The physical presentation of respiratory distress is generally referred to as labored breathing, while the sensation of respiratory distress is called shortness of breath or dyspnea.

Respiratory failure requiring assisted ventilation · Very frequent (99-80%)

A state of respiratory distress that requires a life saving intervention in the form of gaining airway access and instituting positive pressure ventilation.

Small for gestational age · Very frequent (99-80%)

Smaller than normal size according to sex and gestational age related norms, defined as a weight below the 10th percentile for the gestational age.

Emphysema · Very frequent (99-80%)

Abnormal respiratory system morphology · Frequent (79-30%)

A structural anomaly of the respiratory system.

Abnormal respiratory system physiology · Frequent (79-30%)

Abnormal function of the respiratory system.

Airway obstruction · Frequent (79-30%)

Obstruction of conducting airways of the lung.

Bronchomalacia · Frequent (79-30%)

Weakness or softness of the cartilage in the walls of the bronchial tubes.

Other findings in the same source

From: Orphanet

Additional reported features include Central apnea (Frequent (79-30%)); Diaphragmatic paralysis (Frequent (79-30%)); Elevated pulmonary artery pressure (Frequent (79-30%)); Right ventricular failure (Frequent (79-30%)); Right ventricular hypertrophy (Frequent (79-30%)); Sleep abnormality (Frequent (79-30%)); Wheezing (Frequent (79-30%)); Subglottic stenosis (Frequent (79-30%)); Abnormality on pulmonary function testing (Occasional (29-5%)); Atelectasis (Occasional (29-5%)). This is a selected summary, not a complete description of the condition.

When it may begin

From: Orphanet

Infancy; Neonatal

Inheritance in the source

From: Orphanet

Not applicable

Frequency and the population described

From: Orphanet

Point prevalence: 1-5 / 10 000; Europe; Value and class.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is Pulmonology, with a pulmonologist / chest physician as the relevant type of clinician. General physician / Family Medicine; paediatrician for children. Referral depends on symptoms.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• What is the likely explanation for the breathing symptoms?
• Would a breathing test or another investigation change management?
• If symptoms worsen, what written action plan should be followed?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

Where the source describes treatments, these are an overview of possible care, not a prescription for an individual. Ask which option applies to the confirmed diagnosis, what benefit is expected, what adverse effects to watch for and how progress will be assessed. Availability, approvals and local practice can differ from the country described in the source.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

The collected references do not establish a complete prevention or long-term outlook section for this entry. Missing information should not be interpreted as proof that prevention is impossible or that a particular outcome is inevitable. Ask what is known for the exact subtype, stage and personal circumstances, and which uncertainties remain.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.