Clinical spectrum of bronchopulmonary dysplasia: PHC experience.

A retrospective study as undertaken to establish the occurence of BPD in a pediatric ICU at a tertiary care center and to identify the risk factors associated with its pathogenesis. Fourteen infants were identified as BPD based on the diagnostic criteria of: Mechanical ventilation for at least 7 days, oxygen dependency of more than 28 days and persistent chest radiograph abnormalities. The principal factors identified in the pathogenesis of BPD were: prematurity, respiratory distress syndrome and oxygen toxicity. Oxygen was shown to be toxic with an inspired oxygen concentraion of more than 40% over a prolonged period of time (27-28 days). Other factors which were positively identified with BPD were: low birthweight, are associated congenital cardiac lesion (left to right shunt) and a prolonged hospital stay. Mortality rate was not significantly different among those who developed BPD and those who did not develop BPD.