Neonatal Chronic Lung Disease

Neonatal chronic lung disease is a lung disorder affecting infants, especially premature babies whose lungs are not developed enough to work on their own. Also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the disease causes continual respiratory problems.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of neonatal chronic lung disease include rapid breathing and bluish skin; in some cases the disease causes recurrent respiratory infections.

Causes

• Neonatal chronic lung disease results from damaged lung tissue. Causes of the damage may include the high pressure needed to inflate lungs, stretching of the lung air spaces by high oxygen concentrations, or tubes inserted to deliver oxygen.

Risks

• Two risks for developing neonatal chronic lung disease are premature birth and congenital heart disease.

Complications

• Complications of neonatal chronic lung disease include pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension, bronchiolitis, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and growth and developmental problems.

Treatment

• Treatment includes using corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, increasing oxygen, inserting a breathing tube into the trachea and using a ventilator to help with breathing. A doctor may also restrict fluid intake and prescribe diuretics.