Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

BronchopulmonaryDysplasia
What is it?
*Lung injury caused by a ventilator
-child stays on more than 1 week
-more common among premature infants
*Stretching of the air spaces by high pressure to inflate the lungs
-by high concentration of oxygen given
-lungs can become inflated, develop scarring
*Have an increased risk of viral pneumonia
Will my child die?
*Rarely, even with months of treatment
-breathing problems gradually diminish
Treatment:
*Weaning child from ventilator gradually
*Good nutrition- to heal lungs, healthy new lung tissue to grow
*Restriction of fluids, diuretics if Physician orders
What can I do?
*Make sure Physician places on ventilator for short period of time as needed
*Immunizations with antibodies to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
-given monthly in winter, late fall
-requires rehospitalization
-requires ventilator support during first winters
*Vaccine reduces risk by 50%