children s health issues
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia starts before an infant is born. Prolonging pregnancy, even if only for a few days to weeks, and giving the mother corticosteroids to help the infant's lungs mature more quickly can reduce the seriousness of lung disease in the premature newborn at birth ( Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Newborns ). If a Mechanical Ventilation or oxygen is necessary after a premature newborn is born, the lowest possible settings are used to avoid injury to the lungs. This practice is the mainstay of prevention of BPD. Newborns are taken off ventilators and oxygen as early as is safe. Starting medications that stimulate breathing, such as Premature infants may be born before their lungs make surfactant, a substance that coats the inside of the air sacs and allows the air sacs to remain open. The missing surfactant may cause respiratory distress syndrome and poor lung function, increasing risk of BPD. To help prevent respiratory distress syndrome, after birth, some newborns are given surfactant into their windpipe (trachea). 