OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS: The most important articles on bronchopulmonary dysplasia were selected through MEDLINE. RESULTS: The present review analyzes the different concepts, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, treatment and prophylaxis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a frequent condition of very low birth weight infants with hyaline membrane disease who require mechanical ventilation. The pathogenic factors are prematurity, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, pulmonary edema, and infection. Treatment is based on good oxygenation, fluid restriction, nutritional support, diuretics, betamimetic drugs, xanthines, and steroids. Prophylaxis includes avoiding prematurity and using pre-natal steroids, superoxide dismutase, and post-natal steroids.