Purpose

A lung condition called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major cause of poor outcomes and death for premature infants. Infants with BPD are also at high risk for pulmonary hypertension (PH)-an important contributor to their condition. Previous research has suggested that a protein in the blood, endothelin-1 (ET-1), is associated with pulmonary disease. This study aims to investigate the incidence of PH and levels of ET-1 among premature babies with BPD. It will also potentially allow us to focus further research efforts and treatment towards these infants, some of our sickest patients at LPCH.