Chronic Lung Disease

Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) in infants refers to long-term breathing and lung problems in premature babies that leads to home oxygen use at the time of discharge.

Chronic Lung Disease is a serious complication of prematurity resulting from prematurity, low birth weight, poor lung growth and lung injury from prolonged need for breathing device support like breathing machines (ventilators). It can occur when babies are born prematurely and need respiratory support to help them breathe for prolonged periods of time.

The graph above shows the rate of CLD has been low at OLGMC NICU (BLUE LINE) and remains below the state and national average meaning our small babies are LESS likely to have chronic lung disease when they are discharged home.