The Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Program at Boston Children’s Hospital provides comprehensive care for children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) throughout their birth hospitalization and beyond. Through our robust outpatient program, we’re able to provide continuity of care for patients even years after they discharge.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, also called chronic lung disease (CLD), refers to the long-term lung problems that can occur from being born prematurely. With the right treatment, many babies with BPD can eventually outgrow the condition; in rare cases, a child will require breathing support for their whole life.
Through comprehensive, multispecialty care, our team is improving outcomes for all children affected by the condition.
The opening chapter of Isabella’s life was filled with more medical complexity than anyone expected. Today, the "trach chapter" is unfolding — and her joy, curiosity, and independence make it clear that she’s ready for whatever comes next.
At Boston Children’s, babies with BPD who are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are evaluated and cared for by a multidisciplinary team that’s completely dedicated to their care. Often, this happens via transfer from the hospital where your baby was born. Many hospitals refer babies to our program when they have medically complex presentations of BPD that require specialized care, such as a tracheotomy or ventilator.
Your baby’s care team will partner with you to determine the best treatment approach based on their individual needs, as well as:
Your child’s care team may include:
Our team holds weekly rounds with clinicians from several other specialties, including the NICU team, pulmonology, cardiology, respiratory therapy, nutrition, pharmacy, and our developmental specialists. This allows us to track our babies’ medical progress, growth, and developmental progress over the course of the hospitalization.
We know that every baby with BPD has unique symptoms and needs, and we target our therapies around these goals. These rounds ensure that we can provide consistent care for your baby targeted toward their phase of illness and stage of development.
Xavien was born at 26 weeks and spent the first seven months of his life in the NICU battling bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Today, thanks to the support of his care team and his own hard work, Xavien is home, happy, and thriving!
Our BPD Program provides specialized, whole-child care for your baby during their time in our NICU. Once your baby is discharged, we’ll continue to provide comprehensive evaluation and follow-up care through our Center for Healthy Lung Development (CHILD). The clinical staff members at CHILD will help your baby transition safely from the hospital to your home. And as they grow, we’ll partner with you to optimize their respiratory health and lung development.
Often, babies who spend a significant amount of time in the NICU benefit from ongoing, specialized support. The NICU Growth and Developmental Support (NICU GRaDS) Program at Boston Children’s offers exactly that. From comprehensive health and developmental evaluations to family support services, consultations with your child’s pediatrician, and beyond, we’re here to provide the full spectrum of support to you and your baby.
