Cardiac and Respiratory Care for Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (CRIB) 

When your baby is born prematurely, the lungs are not fully developed, and the baby is at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Our highly specialized CRIB Program gives your premature infant with BPD their best chance at a lifetime of healthy breathing, even if they develop pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) or have a congenital heart disease. Our personalized, in-depth expert care is given in the hospital and after your infant returns home—in our outpatient clinic.

Since BPD can affect many bodily functions, including the heart, vascular system, and lungs, it requires a multispecialty care approach—something that’s relatively rare from other health care providers in the country. It’s a reason why other hospitals around the region and across the country refer their young patients with BPD to us.

Why choose us for your child’s BPD care

• Multidisciplinary approach means just the right care for your baby. We have earned an outstanding reputation for taking care of very small, fragile premature babies and treating infants with highly complex and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In our CRIB Program, your newborn’s care team includes international experts in the fields of pulmonology, cardiology, and neonatology. By bringing these specialists together, we are able to create a holistic, precision medicine care plan for your newborn with BPD to ensure the best possible outcomes.
• Extended network of pediatric specialists ready when needed. Your infant with BPD might have other health issues because of being born preterm. As a nationally leading children’s hospital, we have easy access to subspecialists under the same roof in every area of care that your child may need, including aerodigestive concerns, gastrointestinal issues, and genetic testing.
• Groundbreaking research to provide the most advanced care. Our doctors are at the forefront of heart and lung research, including BPD and pulmonary hypertension (PH), helping to set national standards and discover new therapies for children with BPD.
• Ongoing care after your baby leaves the hospital. The same multispecialty team that cares for your baby in the hospital follows your child regularly in our outpatient CRIB clinic—an uncommon feature among dedicated BPD programs. We make care convenient for families throughout the region with comprehensive care visits on the same day and sometimes via telehealth.

If you’re seeking an evaluation from our CRIB Program, please ask your child’s doctor for a referral.