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Abstract
The pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia is controversial. Oxygen toxicity,
mechanical trauma to the lung secondary to respirator therapy, and congestive heart
failure with a left to right shunt through a patent ductus arteriosus have all been
implicated. Our data suggest that in addition to these three conditions, all of which
are edemagenic, infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia have a significantly greater
mean fluid intake in the first five days of life when compared with infants with respiratory
distress syndrome or patent ductus arteriosus alone. We suggest that the addition
of a fluid load may potentiate the effects of other factors and increase the risk
of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in infants with respiratory distress syndrome who require
respiratory support.