Question
How does lung development in preterm infants influence the pathology and characteristics of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)?
Answer
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is primarily characterized by abnormal lung development, which occurs when lung growth is arrested during the late canalicular to saccular stages. This arrest leads to a reduction in the formation of alveoli, resulting in large, simplified alveoli that significantly decrease the surface area available for gas exchange. Additionally, infants with BPD often exhibit dysregulated pulmonary vasculature, including smooth muscle hyperplasia in the pulmonary vessels and abnormal alveolar capillaries. The premature lungs' underdevelopment at birth presents both challenges and opportunities; although the lungs are not fully formed, their ongoing development post-birth provides a critical window for intervention. Early and appropriate respiratory care, such as protective ventilation strategies, can minimize lung injury and promote healthier lung development, which is crucial for reducing the severity of BPD and improving long-term respiratory outcomes.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) Historical and Scientific Update, presented by Katlyn Burr, MSM-HCA, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C.
