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Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or BPD, is a serious lung condition that affects mostly babies who:

'''Bronchopulmonary dysplasia''', or BPD, is a serious lung condition that affects mostly babies who:

* Are born more than 10 weeks before their due dates

* Are born more than 10 weeks before their due dates

Most babies with RDS begin to get better within the next 2 to 4 weeks. But some get worse and need more oxygen and/or breathing assistance from a machine. These babies have developed BPD.

Most babies with RDS begin to get better within the next 2 to 4 weeks. But some get worse and need more oxygen and/or breathing assistance from a machine. These babies have developed BPD.

The lungs of the babies who are born with RDS and go on to develop BPD are less developed than those of babies with RDS who recover. They usually have fewer and larger alveoli, or air sacs, than other newborns. They also may have fewer tiny blood vessels in the alveoli. The blood vessels are needed to move oxygen from the alveoli into the bloodstream. (See "How the Lungs Work" for more information.)

The lungs of the babies who are born with RDS and go on to develop BPD are less developed than those of babies with RDS who recover. They usually have fewer and larger alveoli, or air sacs, than other newborns. They also may have fewer tiny blood vessels in the alveoli. The blood vessels are needed to move oxygen from the alveoli into the bloodstream.

These babies also are more likely than other infants to have problems in other parts of their bodies that aren't yet fully developed. These include the heart, kidneys, brain, stomach, intestines, and eyes.

These babies also are more likely than other infants to have problems in other parts of their bodies that aren't yet fully developed. These include the heart, kidneys, brain, stomach, intestines, and eyes.