Is There a Genetic Susceptibility to Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia?

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) continues to be a major problem despite advances in the management of the sick preterm. Current evidence supports a multifactorial etiology to this disease. Prematurity is the cardinal factor; others include pulmonary baro/volu trauma, hyperoxia, and inflammation. A clearer understanding of genetic susceptibility for BPD has recently emerged. Twin studies have shown that 53% of the variance for BPD is genetic. This article will attempt to review the published literature appraising the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms of putative causal genes and susceptibility to BPD. These studies, though small in size, spark interest in further genetic association studies to identify candidate genes that contribute to the diverse pathophysiology of BPD.