Chronic Lung Disease of Prematurity Symptoms & Causes
What causes chronic lung disease?
Lung injury and scarring, which may result in difficulty breathing and increased oxygen needs, can be caused by any of the following:
- Prematurity, when your baby is born before the lungs, and especially the air sacs, are fully developed.
- Oxygen use—high concentrations of oxygen can damage the cells of the lungs
- Mechanical ventilation. Some premature babies require breathing machines, suctioning of the airways, and the use of a endotracheal tube, which is placed in the trachea and connected to a breathing machine.
What are the risk factors for developing CLD?
Chronic lung disease may occur if your child . . .
- Is born at less than 34 weeks gestation
- Has a birthweight of less than 4 pounds, 6.4 ounces
- Has a family history of asthma
- Other associated conditions include:
- Pulmonary interstitial emphysema, a problem in which air leaks out of the airways into the spaces between the small air sacs of the lungs
- Patent ductus arteriosus, a connection between the blood vessels of the heart and lungs that doesn’t close (as it should) after birth
- Maternal womb infection
What are the symptoms of chronic lung disease?
Each baby may experience different symptoms, but common symptoms include:
- Respiratory distress (rapid breathing, flaring of the nostrils, chest retractions
- Continued need for mechanical ventilation or oxygen after your premature baby reaches 36 weeks gestation.
