BPD lungs

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Fortunately, most preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) gradually improve and survive with minimal long-term deficits in lung function. The lungs of the infants that die of BPD have fewer alveoli and decreased microvasculature with areas of emphysema, bullae, and fibrosis. The lungs of the infants that survive BPD have a range of radiologic abnormalities that do not correlate well with long term outcomes. We do not know the range or severity of lung abnormalities in the survivors with any precision. Computed tomography (CT) scans provide more information about lung structure, and in this issue of The Journal, Ochiai et al report a scoring system for CT scans of the lungs for assessing clinical status and predicting outcomes. This contribution is an example of new efforts to better image the developing lung to provide information about the resolution phase of BPD and the extent of residual abnormalities with growth through childhood.