Continuously monitor oxygenation by using pulse oximetry because of frequent desaturations. In addition, routinely monitor blood pressure, as infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia can also develop systemic hypertension.
Imaging studies
The following radiologic studies may be used to evaluate infants with suspected bronchopulmonary dysplasia:
Chest radiography: To determine the severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia; to differentiate bronchopulmonary dysplasia from atelectasis, pneumonia, and air leak syndrome; to demonstrate decreased lung volumes, areas of atelectasis and hyperinflation, pulmonary edema, and pulmonary interstitial emphysema
High-resolution chest computed tomography scanning
Chest magnetic resonance imaging
Procedures
Biopsy of the lungs in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia may reveal findings from the following 4 pathologic stages:
Acute lung injury
Exudative bronchiolitis
Proliferative bronchiolitis
Obliterative fibroproliferative bronchiolitis