Complex Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Program

Complex BPD Program
Meet the Team

The Complex Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Program at Children’s National Hospital specializes in caring for infants and children with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. BPD is a disease that affects infants born prematurely, leading to disruption of pulmonary development and subsequent lung injury. Babies with BPD often require oxygen or ventilator support. In addition to poor lung function, BPD is also associated with poor growth, delayed neurodevelopment and challenges managing typical respiratory illnesses of childhood.

Our Providers

Our pediatric specialists provide personalized care for your child’s physical, mental and emotional health needs.

Meet the Team

Contact Information

To make an appointment, please call 1-888-884-BEAR (2327). For information, call 202-476-5040.

Appointments Information

Our experts set individualized care plans as we optimize ventilator management, prescribe necessary medications and follow specialized imaging and lab values for children in our care. In addition to our focus on the medical care, we place value in the neurodevelopment and social interactions that a baby needs to thrive.

With every decision we consider how it will affect your baby’s ability to progress with their occupational, physical and developmental therapy goals, and we provide families with comprehensive education that empowers you to participate in your infant’s day-to-day care, as well.

Highlights of Our Program

Expertise

Team Approach

Our collaborative approach helps your child get the most out of each encounter with their care team. We understand BPD is a multifaceted condition and believe an interdisciplinary approach is best. We meet at regular intervals to discuss personalized strategies for each of our patients.

Your care team will include:

Advanced practice nurses
Nurse coordinators
Respiratory therapists
Neonatal pharmacists
Neonatal nutritionists
Physical and occupational therapists
Speech and language pathologists
Case managers
Social workers
Child life specialists
Music therapists

Transition to Home or Intermediate Care

Infants born prematurely typically spend their first weeks to months of life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where 24/7 care allows them to maintain their body temperatures, learn to eat, breath comfortably and safely grow.

When treatment in our intensive care setting is no longer needed, our team will help you and your baby make your next transition. Some babies are ready to safely discharge home, while others will first benefit from transition to an inpatient intermediate care facility, often referred to as the step-down unit.

Our affiliated step-down unit at The HSC Pediatric Center is designed to decrease emergency room visits and readmission to the hospital, as well as improve pulmonary outcomes. The team in this unit will continue to include your primary pulmonologist and nurse practitioner as they focus on medical management but with a stronger emphasis on neurodevelopmental care and nutrition.