Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease often developed in premature babies. When babies are born before 32 weeks, their lungs are not developed enough to breathe without the help of machines. While these machines are important to help premature babies survive, 15 percent of patients still require high levels of respiratory support at 36 weeks. These patients are diagnosed with severe BPD.
Prior to 36 weeks, our neonatologists focus on strategies to prevent BPD. The foundation of this strategy is weaning respiratory support as quickly as possible to minimize lung injury. Once a premature baby is diagnosed with severe BPD, generally after 36 weeks, there is a shift in focus from frequent changes and rapid weaning to management of chronic lung disease. Patients with severe BPD often have a complex combination of chronic lung disease, airway abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension and slow growth. Management requires services from multiple specialties.
Since developing Le Bonheur's NICU Center for Lung Development (CLD) in 2020, our CLD team has improved survival among BPD patients by 40 percent and reduced the need for tracheostomy by more than 10 percent.
The BPD Collaborative
Le Bonheur joined The BPD Collaborative in January 2023. The BPD Collaborative consists of 25+ centers in the United States who have multidisciplinary teams dedicated to the ongoing care of patients with Bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Members of the collaborative are focused on improving the outcomes of infants and children with BPD by creating and sustaining a culture of collaboration in clinical care, research, quality improvement, education and advocacy.
Why Choose Le Bonheur
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital is home to the only Level IV NICU in West Tennessee. Our team rounds daily with a multidisciplinary team including dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners and physicians. Patients also have access to other services including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, child life and music therapy.
Le Bonheur's Center for Lung Development is an academic, multi-disciplinary, comprehensive medical team where each patient receives individualized, dynamic and consistent care. Our clinical as well as research-based approach is best suited for infants with established severe BPD with or without pulmonary hypertension. Our team also participates in research and knowledge-sharing to advance care for babies as a member of both the Children’s Hospital National Consortium and BPD Collaborative
Our NICU has a dedicated Bronchopulmonary dysplasia team who is focused on comprehensive management from 36 weeks until discharge.
What to Expect
While your child is treated for BPD in Le Bonheur's NICU, they will receive day-to-day care provided by the medical team practicing up to date, evidence-based medicine. Each severe BPD patient is reviewed weekly by the BPD team who will make recommendations to the medical team. Each patient gets a Pulmonology consultation. Other consultations from other services may also be needed, for example from Cardiology and Otolaryngology (ENT).
After graduating from the NICU, your baby will be followed in Le Bonheur’s BPD clinic.
Le Bonheur's NICU Center for Lung Development Team
Beginning at 36-weeks postmenstrual age, the CLD team meets weekly to review each patient. Following each meeting, we share recommendations with the clinical team caring for your child. Recommendations are based on best practices developed across the BPD Collaborative Centers.
Our multidisciplinary team consists of:
- Physicians:
- Nurse Practitioners
- Nurses
- Respiratory Therapists
- Dieticians
- Child-life Specialists
- Rehab Specialists
