bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Pronunciation: BRON-ko-PUL-mo-nar-ee dis-PLAY-zhuh
Chronic lung disease in premature infants characterized by abnormal lung development and requiring prolonged oxygen support.
Full Definition
A chronic lung disease that develops in premature infants, typically those born before 32 weeks gestation, as a result of lung immaturity, mechanical ventilation, and oxygen toxicity. The condition is characterized by impaired alveolarization and abnormal vascular development. Radiographically, BPD progresses through stages from initial acute changes resembling respiratory distress syndrome to chronic changes including hyperinflation, atelectasis, and a coarse reticular pattern. Severity is classified based on oxygen requirements at 36 weeks post-menstrual age. Long-term imaging follow-up is often necessary to monitor for complications such as pulmonary hypertension.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as BPD in pediatric contexts; different from bipolar disorder abbreviation.
In Context
- "Serial chest radiographs showed evolution from acute RDS to chronic changes consistent with bronchopulmonary dysplasia." — NICU imaging report
- "High-resolution CT demonstrated the characteristic hyperinflation and architectural distortion of moderate bronchopulmonary dysplasia." — Pediatric pulmonary imaging report