dioxide in the blood) may contribute to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Monitoring the level of carbon dioxide in neonatal infants to ensure that the level is not too high or too low (hypocarbia) is important for improving outcomes for neonates in intensive care. Carbon dioxide can be monitored by taking a blood sample (arterial blood gas), through the breath (exhalation), and it can be measured continuously through the skin by using a minimally invasive transcutaneous device. The most effective and safest approach for measuring carbon dioxide in newborn infants is not clear. Epidemiology The rate of BPD varies among institutions, which may reflect neonatal risk factors, care practices (e.g., target levels for acceptable oxygen saturation), and differences in the clinical definitions of BPD. See also Respiratory distress syndrome Wilson–Mikity syndrome References Further reading Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia on National Institutes of Health External links Bronchus disorders Neonatology