Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia?
Babies with this condition are treated by a neonatologist, a doctor who cares for sick newborns. They may also see a pediatric pulmonologist, a doctor who treats children's lung problems. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is bronchopulmonary dysplasia?
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a long-term lung condition. It affects newborn babies who needed a breathing machine after birth or who were born very early. A baby born early has lungs that are not fully grown yet. Breathing help and oxygen can save a baby's life. But they can also hurt the soft lung tissue and slow lung growth.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Rapid breathing and shortness of breath.
- Bluish skin color (cyanosis), which means low oxygen in the blood.
- Cough and wheezing.
- Retractions, when the skin between the ribs pulls in with each breath.
- Failure to thrive, which means slow growth and poor weight gain.
In moderate to severe BPD, these problems can last past babyhood. Babies who have had BPD get better slowly over time.
Causes and who gets it
BPD happens in very sick babies who got high levels of oxygen for a long time. It can also happen in babies who were on a breathing machine. It is more common in babies born early, whose lungs were not fully grown at birth. Risk factors include being born before 32 weeks of pregnancy, congenital heart disease (a heart problem present at birth), and a severe lung infection. After birth, the risk goes up with lungs that are not mature, poor nutrition, the need for a breathing machine, too much oxygen, and infection.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors base the diagnosis on how early the baby was born and how much oxygen the baby needs at what would be 36 weeks of pregnancy. Tests may include a blood gas test (a blood test that checks oxygen and carbon dioxide), pulse oximetry (a small clip that reads oxygen levels), a chest X-ray, and a chest CT scan (a detailed X-ray picture). Babies with moderate or severe BPD are often checked for pulmonary hypertension, which means high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. This check uses an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart.
Treatment
Treatment supports the baby while the lungs grow and limits more lung injury. In the hospital, babies with breathing problems are often put on a ventilator. This machine pushes air into the lungs to keep them open and deliver oxygen. As the lungs grow, the pressure and oxygen are slowly lowered. When they can, doctors use kinds of breathing help that do not need a tube in the windpipe.
The baby may keep getting oxygen by mask or nasal tube for several weeks or months. Some babies need oxygen at home after leaving the hospital. Medicines can include diuretics (they remove extra water from the body), corticosteroids to lower swelling in severe cases, bronchodilators to open tight airways, and surfactant, a slippery substance that keeps the air sacs open. Babies need extra calories because breathing takes so much effort. They may be fed by a tube into the stomach or given special formulas. Palivizumab (Synagis) may be given to prevent RSV, a virus that causes severe lung infections in babies. In very severe cases, a lung transplant might be needed.
When to see a doctor
If your baby had BPD, watch for any breathing problems. Call your child's doctor right away if you see signs of a lung infection. RSV can cause a severe lung infection in a baby with BPD. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your baby has bluish skin or seems to be struggling to breathe.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. After the baby leaves the hospital, such a doctor can watch the baby's growth and breathing, and set up care with lung and developmental specialists.
Common questions
Can bronchopulmonary dysplasia get better?
Babies with BPD get better slowly over time. Oxygen may be needed for many months. Some babies have lasting lung damage and need oxygen and breathing support.
How can I protect my baby with BPD from infections?
Wash your hands with soap and water before touching your baby. Ask sick people to stay away. Keep young children away from your baby during RSV season. Do not smoke inside your house, car, or anywhere near your baby. It is very important to prevent colds and other infections such as RSV.
What problems can happen later for babies who had BPD?
Babies who have had BPD are at greater risk for repeated respiratory infections such as pneumonia and RSV that need a hospital stay. Other possible problems include developmental problems, poor growth, and pulmonary hypertension. Infants with BPD have a 50 percent chance of going back into the hospital during their first year of life.
Can BPD be prevented?
Not always, but the risk can be lowered. Getting prenatal care during pregnancy helps prevent early delivery. If a baby is on breathing support, doctors wean the baby from the machine as soon as it is safe. The baby may also receive surfactant to help keep the lungs open.
Sources
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- NCBI Bookshelf (StatPearls) - Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
