Nutrition in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: In the NICU and Beyond

This chapter reviews the role that nutrition plays in the development and management of BPD. While specific nutrients, other than n-3 LCPUFAs and vitamin A, have shown limited benefit in reducing the incidence or severity of BPD, increased intake of mother’s own milk during the NICU hospitalization has been reported to reduce the incidence of BPD. In addition, standardized, evidence-based early nutritional management guidelines for extremely preterm infants that begin with early, intense parenteral and enteral nutritional support have been shown to reduce the growth failure associated with BPD. Hopefully, this strategy will address some of the adverse effects that undernutrition has had on lung growth, injury, and repair, resulting in a decrease in both the incidence and severity of BPD.