PATHOGENESIS OF BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASI A

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia of preterm infants has a multifactorial eti ology. Pulmonary immaturity, oxygen toxicity, formation of oxygen radi cals and mechanical lung trauma as well as additional factors (pulmona ry hyperhydration, infection a.o.) may contribute to pulmonary damage. A pulmonary inflammatory reaction is thought to play a central role i n the pathogenesis of chronic lung disease. It is characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells and various inflammatory mediators inc luding proteases, chemoattractants, cytokines, leukotrienes and others . Due to the immaturity of several protective systems (antiproteases, antioxidants, surfactant system) the inflammatory response seems to be aggravated. Moreover, the magnitude and persistence of inflammation m ay eventually lead to pulmonary fibrosis.