Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Hosts Fourth Annual Chronic Lung Disease Conference

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Hosts Fourth Annual Chronic Lung Disease Conference

PHILADELPHIA, March 13, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On March 7, more than 120 medical professionals from across the United States, Canada and Sweden gathered at the Union League of Philadelphia for the Fourth Annual Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Chronic Lung Disease Conference.

Severe chronic lung disease (CLD) of infancy, also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), is the most common chronic complication of premature birth. It affects approximately 25 percent of preterm infants with birth weights less than 1,500 grams and more than 50 percent of infants weighing less than 750 grams. Infants with BPD frequently require lengthy hospital stays and costly post-discharge medical care. A diagnosis of BPD is a strong predictor of long-term impairment in lung function, cardiovascular health, growth and neurodevelopment.

The one-day conference brought together physicians, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, pharmacists and developmental therapists who provide care for patients with BPD. The conference was followed by a special meeting of the BPD Collaborative, which is comprised of 13 institutions with multidisciplinary teams dedicated to optimizing outcomes of infants and children with severe BPD.

"As one of the largest clinical program for severe CLD nationally and internationally, our team is dedicated to advancing clinical care, long-term outcomes and research," said Huayan Zhang, MD, Director, Newborn and Infant Chronic Lung Disease Program at CHOP, and co-course director of the conference. "We are thrilled to bring together colleagues from around the country and world, all dedicated to this same mission."

Aimed to share clinical expertise and updates on current research, treatment and advances in the care of infants with severe BPD, this conference provided both a broad picture in the disease management and practical bedside care techniques. World experts in BPD management and research, as well as local experts, presented on topics such as:

    --  The current State of BPD, from defining and caring for BPD to
        BPD-associated pulmonary hypertension
    --  The next horizon in potential new treatments
    --  Interdisciplinary bedside management highlights of nursing care,
        tracheostomy management and chronic sedation
    --  Current management concepts and difficulties in care and the need for
        more data to guide future therapies (facilitated by comparing the
        management of two large BPD care centers)

"As a nurse, co-leading this conference was very gratifying," said Kathy Nilan, RN, Nurse Coordinator, Newborn and Infant Chronic Lung Disease Program at CHOP, and co-course director. "It was important to us that this course include speakers from a range of perspectives, including experts from pediatrics, neonatology, pulmonology, otolaryngology, pharmacy, and nursing, to share the latest in the research, management and long-term needs of infants with severe CLD."

About The Newborn and Infant Chronic Lung Disease Program (NeoCLD) at CHOP
The Newborn and Infant Chronic Lung Disease Program (NeoCLD) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was established in 2010 as one of the first programs dedicated solely to meeting the growing clinical and research needs of infants with severe CLD/BPD. Over the past seven years, the program has cared for over 400 infants with severe BPD. In addition to providing excellent medical care, our NeoCLD team is dedicated to expanding the knowledge base on the disease pathophysiology and exploring new evidence-based treatments for these patients.

About Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 546-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu

CONTACT: Natalie Solimeo, 267-426-6246, virgilion@email.chop.edu

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/childrens-hospital-of-philadelphia-hosts-fourth-annual-chronic-lung-disease-conference-300612633.html

SOURCE Children's Hospital of Philadelphia