Management of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), also known as chronic lung disease of prematurity, and typically defined as the need for supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age, affects approximately 10% and 40% of very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight infants, respectively. Contributing factors include infection, oxygen exposure and ventilator induced lung injury, which can lead to impaired lung function. Several preventative and therapeutic strategies have been used in BPD, including lung protective ventilator strategies, and pharmacologic interventions. While many infants with BPD are treated with a wide variety of medications, little evidence for the efficacy of these treatments exist. This article will review current practice in the prevention and management of this complication of prematurity.