Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a lung disease that occurs in very premature infants. When babies are born very prematurely and/or with low birth weight, their lungs are structurally and functionally immature and, as a result, cannot provide adequate oxygenation of the blood. To ensure adequate oxygen supply to the body after birth, the immature lungs of premature infants often need support through ventilation and oxygen administration. However, these life-saving practices can negatively affect lung development and remodel its structure, creating scarred lung tissue and emphysema.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a chronic lung disease and requires intensive medical monitoring and care by a specialized pediatric pulmonologist.