Objective: To investigate the expression of interleukin 8 (IL-8), surfactant protein-A (SP-A) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods: Thirty neonates with BPD and 30 gestational age-, gender-, and birth weight-matched neonates without BPD (control group) were enrolled from December 2007 to October 2009. Non-brochoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. The levels of IL-8, SP-A and TGF-β1 in BALF were measured using ELISA. Results: The levels of TGF-β1 (47 ± 15 μg/mL vs 34 ± 13 μg/mL) and IL-8 (54 ± 16 μg/mL vs 28 ± 13 μg/mL) in the BPD group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). In contrast, the contents of SP-A in the BPD group were significantly lower than those in the control group (35 ± 16 μg/mL vs 42 ± 14 μg/mL; P < 0.05). Conclusions: The increased expression of TGF-β1 and IL-8 in BALF may be involved in abnormal lung development and maturation in neonates with BPD. The low expression of SP-A in the BPD group suggests that the exogenous SP-A administration may be an option for the treatment of BPD.