# Bronchopulmonary dysplasia remains common among extremely preterm survivors

Bottleneck · id `maternal:bottleneck-bpd-prevention` · Maternal & Newborn Atlas · release `c7fb95f1d15a7d13` (public)

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Browse, life stage: Newborn  
Browse, care area: Preterm and sick newborns  

## In plain language

Many babies born at the edge of survival now live, but bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a long-lasting lung problem, remains the most frequent complication of extreme preterm birth, according to a 2019 review. Registry data from US network centres show that it rose between 2009 and 2012 in babies born at 26 to 27 weeks, even as survival improved and several other complications became less common. Several treatments have been studied with it as an outcome.

## Technical summary

The review (Nature Reviews Disease Primers, abstract only) says that, despite efforts to limit injurious but often life-saving interventions, BPD remains the most frequent complication, and that impaired lung development leads to persistent airway and pulmonary vascular disease that can affect adult lung function. The registry abstract reports the 2009 to 2012 rise at 26 to 27 weeks. Efforts listed are treatments studied with BPD as an outcome in two trials; one trial abstract reports a lower rate with its drug and the other reports no significant difference between the two compared approaches, so the page does not say that BPD cannot be prevented.

## Connected pages

- The condition behind this bottleneck: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (chronic lung disease of prematurity) (`maternal:bronchopulmonary-dysplasia`)
- Filed under this front: Newborn support: warmth, breathing, feeding (`maternal:front-newborn-support`)
- Addressed by: Artificial placenta or womb for extremely preterm babies (`maternal:idea-artificial-placenta`)

## Provenance

Content hash: 9616b47c69f636281aab206437e4f7324e5ca961da17335d6a634ae0a0891b04
Last substantive edit: 2026-10-15
Evidence last checked: 2026-10-15