What is the condition called when oxygen therapy and intermittent mandatory ventilation lead to chronic lung disease in preterm infants?

The condition characterized by chronic lung disease in preterm infants as a result of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation is bronchopulmonary dysplasia. This condition arises when the lungs are damaged due to the necessity of providing supplemental oxygen and positive pressure ventilation to preterm infants, often due to underdeveloped lungs.

In bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the delicate structure of the lungs can become inflamed and scarred, leading to long-term respiratory difficulties. The very interventions used to support these infants can sometimes be a double-edged sword, causing injury to the lung tissues if used excessively or improperly. Consequently, this condition does not just represent an immediate response to prematurity but rather leads to ongoing respiratory challenges that may affect the child's health and development.

The other conditions mentioned do not specifically tie to the chronic lung disease resulting from ventilatory support and oxygen therapy. Respiratory distress syndrome is generally an acute condition arising from surfactant deficiency in preterm infants, while pneumothorax relates to air leakage into the pleural space and is a separate complication. Chronic lung infection, though a concern in vulnerable neonatal populations, does not directly result from the ventilation practices leading to the specific lung damage observed in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.