Bronchopulmonary dysplasia in adulthood

Article Abstract:

The development of improved techniques for mechanical ventilation and respiratory support have save many lives, and it is not surprising that these same techniques have been applied to neonatal care as well. However, it is clear that the lungs of newborns requiring mechanical ventilation do not develop normally; these observed pathological changes are termed bronchopulmonary dysplasia. While it is known that some of the consequences of bronchopulmonary dysplasia persist into childhood, it was not until recently that the respiratory function of adults who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia in infancy was investigated. In a report in the December 27, 1990 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, investigators showed that respiratory abnormalities may be found in a majority of patients who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia in infancy. However, in many patients these abnormalities were asymptomatic, although the study did not examine respiratory function during exercise. Some clinicians might be tempted to argue that the published results are not particularly applicable to today's infants, since the adults studied received their mechanical ventilation in the 1960s, and technology has improved greatly since then. There is reason to believe, however, that the numerous advances in respiratory technology, which include better application of pressure, the use of glucocorticoids to accelerate lung maturation, and the use of surfactants to protect the newborn lungs, may not actually be reducing the rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. This may be due to the improved survival rate of more numerous and even more premature infants. Few 900 gram infants survived in the middle 1970s; nearly 60 percent survive today. Such infants are at high risk for the developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia. There is every reason to believe that as time goes on greater numbers of adult patients will be seen with the long-term complications of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Infants (Premature), Birth weight, Low, Premature infants, Low birth weight, Infants (Newborn), Newborn infants, editorial, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

---

Treatment of acute bronchiolitis

Article Abstract:

Doctors should consider giving nose drops containing epinephrine to babies who are admitted to a hospital with bronchiolitis. Although this treatment may not shorten their hospital stay, it can open the airway and improve their symptoms, according to a study published in 2003. Bronchiolitis is a lung infection, which in babies is usually caused by respiratory syncytial virus.

Care and treatment, Infants, Epinephrine, Infant care, Bronchiolitis

---

Asthma, steroids, and growth

Article Abstract:

The asthma drug budesonide should not be given to young children with asthma. Two studies of childhood asthma published in 2000 found that although growth slowed during the first year of treatment, it subsequently returned to normal and all children achieved a normal adult height. However, the drug may affect the lungs, which are not completely formed until the age of eight.

Lungs, Lung, Asthma in children, Childhood asthma, Budesonide

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: National patterns in the treatment of smokers by physicians. US College Students' Use of Tobacco Products: Results of a National Survey
• Abstracts: Screening for cardiac disease in patients having noncardiac surgery. Prediction of perioperative risk: the glass may be three-quarters full
• Abstracts: c-myc Protooncogene polypeptide expression in endometriosis. Cauterization of hydrosalpinges before in vitro fertilization is an effective surgical treatment associated with improved pregnancy rates
• Abstracts: Integration of endoplasmic reticulum signaling in health and disease. The neuronal repressor REST/NRSF is an essential regulator in medulloblastoma cells
• Abstracts: Serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels in invasive cervical cancer: prediction of response and recurrence

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.