The impact of pulmonary ventilation and oxygen therapy in the etiopathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung condition that frequently affects premature infants, characterized by damage to lung tissue and the need for prolonged oxygen or assisted ventilation. It usually occurs as a complication of mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy administered to preterm infants, and its prevalence ranges from 20% to 40% among preterm infants. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of pulmonary ventilation and oxygen therapy in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature children. Material and methods. The study represents an analysis of a cohort of 105 premature babies, with a history of premature birth and respiratory distress syndrome confirmed in the neonatal period, evaluated at the Pulmonology Clinic of the Mother and Child Institute. The study group included 53 children diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and the control group consisted of 52 children who did not develop BPD. All participants underwent an anamnestic and clinical-paraclinical evaluation. The diagnosis of BPD was established according to specific criteria. Results. Several factors related to the condition of the newborns were analyzed, such as gestational age (χ2=20.699; p<0.001), birth weight (F=42.173; p<0.0001), oxygen saturation level (F =26.305; p<0.0001), the need for oxygen therapy with artificial pulmonary ventilation (χ2=19;p<0.0001), which were associated with etiopathogenic mechanisms in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in children born prematurely. Conclusions. Neonatal factors such as gestational age at birth, low birth weight in association with assisted ventilation and exaggerated O2 concentrations are pathogenically involved in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in prematurely born children.