Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Program

If your baby has bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), we understand what you and your family are going through. We created the Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Program at Phoenix Children’s to give babies and families like yours the best, most complete care possible. We realize that BPD can affect more than just the lungs, and we aim to treat the whole child and provide support for family and caregivers as well.

We care for the full spectrum of BPD. Some of the services our BPD team provides include:

  • Immediate care at Phoenix Children’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which includes ventilator care and oxygen therapy if needed
  • Testing such as a chest X-ray, echocardiogram or blood tests (to measure oxygen in the blood)
  • Specialized care from a board-certified pulmonologist experienced in working with infants and treating BPD
  • Evaluation, prevention and treatment of complications, such as apnea, tracheo/bronchomalacia (weakening of cartilage in the large airways) or pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs)
  • Nutritional support and help with feeding and growth issues from a registered dietitian
  • Regular treatment sessions with occupational, physical and speech therapists experienced in caring for infants with BPD
  • Long-term support after leaving the hospital, including help with monitors, a ventilator, oxygen or other equipment and services if needed
  • Virtual visits for routine follow-up and for help with equipment or other issues
  • Pulmonology BPD clinics include a dedicated clinic for BPD patients with a tracheostomy and home ventilator.
  • NEST clinic (NICU follow up clinic) – during these visits your baby will be seen by a physician and the therapy team (physical, occupational, speech/feeding) and receive formal developmental assessment. Additional care team members may participate in visits for infants with complex needs.

PLEASE NOTE: Babies with BPD are at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory illnesses. For your baby’s protection — and yours — we offer virtual visits for routine care and can solve many issues with equipment or care without requiring a trip. If an in-person clinic visit is needed, we’ll take every precaution to prevent any exposure and ensure your baby’s health and safety.