What Are the Treatments for Severe Chronic Lung Disease in Babies?

Chronic lung disease, also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), typically occurs in infants who are born prematurely. Treatment depends on how severe the condition is and will not cure the disease, but is intended to help the baby's lungs grow and heal on their own. Treatment is the same whether or not the disease is severe, but if your baby is diagnosed with severe chronic lung disease, he is likely to need treatment for a longer period.

Upon Birth

• If your baby is diagnosed with BPD, he will likely show signs of respiratory distress in the delivery room and be moved to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There he will receive oxygen therapy or be put on a ventilator. If your baby has been diagnosed with severe BPD, he could be on the ventilator for a few days, a few months, or even up to 2 years at home. He will also probably receive surfactant, which opens his lungs until his lungs can make surfactant on their own.

Severe BPD Diagnosis

• If your baby has been diagnosed with a severe case, he will also be put in an incubator at the NICU. Over the course of his hospital stay, he will likely receive several medications. The doctors may prescribe diuretics to keep fluid from building up in his lungs. They may give him electrolyte solutions since diuretics often lead to electrolyte loss. To keep your baby's airways from closing, doctors may administer bronchodilators through a machine called a nebulizer. These medications stop spasms and prevent the closing of airways. Your baby may receive corticosteroids to limit swelling, but only in the most severe cases, since these medications can lead to health and growth problems. Finally, your baby will probably be put on antibiotics to reduce the chances of contracting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.

Nutrition

• Nutrition is key in the treatment of severe BPD. Your baby will be fed through a tube in his stomach or nose if he cannot bottle or breast feed. If he cannot be fed through a tube, he will be fed through a total parental nutrition system (TPN). Babies with BPD need more calories than other babies because they burn more calories struggling to breathe and fight infection. Good nutrition helps healthy lung tissue to grow. The goal is for your baby to have more healthy than damaged lung tissue.

At Home Care

• Your doctor will decide if your baby will be able to go home even if he is still on a ventilator. You will likely need training from the hospital before you can take your baby home. You may need to know how to use a nasal cannula, which gives your baby oxygen through his nose, and how to give CPR. His nutrition will continue to play an important role in his treatment. It's important that babies with severe BPD are not exposed to cigarette smoke, fumes from a wood-burning stove or space heater, or to people with respiratory infections.

Problems May Arise

• If your baby has a severe case, he could develop high blood pressure, continued breathing problems, narrowing of the airway, windpipe collapse or respiratory tract infections. Therefore, it is important you maintain follow-up visits with your doctor.