Multidisciplinary Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a lung disease that affects preterm infants, where the risk of developing this disease is linked to the degree of preterm birth. In addition to prematurity, there are other underlying causes for disease development.

BPD leads to decreased lung function, but is also linked to impaired growth, neurological development, and social interaction.

In severe cases significant difficulties remain after discharge from the hospital, which at an early stage instigates multidisciplinary care strategies that include both inpatient and outpatient care, as managed at (or from) the Multidisciplinary Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia at Akademiska Barnsjukhuset in Uppsala.

Our family-centered care strategy highlights the importance of having the parents/family present and involved during all stages of care, from intensive care through continued hospital care and at home.

The disease BPD puts high demands on the family and the health care system. Education and information for the parents is an important part of the care strategy, so that they are well apprehended in the problems of the disease, have realistic hopes for the care and understand the care plan for their child. The parents' early and full participation in the care of their child is one of the cornerstones of our care strategy.

Our treatment strategies for BPD have attracted caregivers to seek help from us both nationally and internationally. During the care period at our unit, the infant receive a highly specialized treatment that includes a review of ventilation and medication, and where Chronic Phase Ventilation (CPV) is applied. CPV aims to recruit the healthy parts of the lung and at the same time reduce the diseased parts. Regular video-based reports to the care providers from the referring hospital take place during the care period at our unit, where a treatment plan is set up together with the family and the referring caregivers. The treatment plan is then followed up with video meetings with the family and the caregivers at their home hospital, with a continued commitment to give advice to the referring care institution.