RADIOLOGICAL INCIDENCE AND COURSE OF BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA IN 100 CONSECUTIVE LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT NEONATES

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is an important cause of chronic resp iratory distress in low birth infants. The radiological incidence and course of BPD were assessed in 100 consecutive low birth weight infant s. Chest radiographs were examined on admission, at the ages of 3 days , 7 days, 2 weeks and 4 weeks and at later follow-up until the examina tions were normal. Twelve of the children died. The severity and typic al radiological abnormalities of BPD were assessed. Among the children alive, there were 26 with BPD (29.5%). The BPD incidence was highest between the age of 2 weeks and 3 months (18-21%) declining to 3.4% at the age of 12 months. Radiological evidence of BPD was already seen at the age of 2 weeks in 16 of the children. Most cases (73%) had their maximum BPD score at the age of 1 to 3 months. The normalisation of th e chest radiography occurred predominantly in the age between 3 and 6 months. The most frequent underlying condition in BPD was hyaline memb rane disease in 81%.