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Childhood interstitial lung disease, sometimes abbreviated as ChILD, is a family of rare chronic and complex disorders that affect the lungs of children.[1] In the lungs, these disorders affect the interstitium, which is the space around the alveoli. The alveoli are the air sacs of the lungs.[2] For these disorders, the alveoli are typically impaired by inflammatory and fibrotic changes which can lead to dyspnea, diffuse infiltrates on chest radiographs, and abnormal pulmonary function tests.[3]
| childhood interstitial lung disease | |
|---|---|
| Other names | ChILD |
| Specialty | Pulmonology |
Not all types of interstitial lung disease that occur in adults occur also in children, and vice versa.[4][5] The group of disorders is heterogenous, and there are different definitions of what exactly should be classed as a ChILD disorder.[1]
Childhood interstitial lung disease is a serious condition, with high morbidity and mortality.[6][4] People with ChILD are at a higher risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, and development of pulmonary hypertension is associated with poor survival rates.[6]
Classification
Many conditions are included in this group of diseases. They have been categorized into three groups:[7]
- disorders of infancy, including lung problems caused by developmental disorders, growth abnormalities, and surfactant-related disorders;
- other categories that aren't specific to infancy, such as problems related to infections and immune disorders; and
- unclassifiable disorders
Diagnosis
Obtaining images of sufficient quality is more difficult than in adults. Imaging may or may not be sufficient for diagnosis.[4]
Diagnostic methods include echocardiography, computed tomography, pulmonary function testing, bronchoscopy, genetic testing and biopsy.[5]
Treatment
Although there is no cure for ChILD, common treatments include oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, extra nutrition, and corticosteroid medications. In severe ChILD cases, a lung transplant may prove effective. [8]
References
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