What Are Causes of Childhood Interstital Lung Disease?

Discussion Interstitial lung disease in children (chILD) is less understood than adult interstitial lung disease (ILD) and is rare. Prevalence is ~ 0.13 to 16.2 per 100,000 children under age 17 years. chILD is an general term for respiratory disorders that are heterogeneous, chronic and impair lung function. While some define diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) separately, the term ILD usually encompases DPLD. chILD has variable definitions and is “usually diagnosed if three of the following features are present: 1) respiratory symptoms (cough, rapid and/or difficult breathing, and exercise intolerance), 2) respiratory signs (tachypnea, adventitious sounds, retractions, digital clubbing, and failure to thrive or respiratory failure), 3) hyposemia, and 4) diffuse abnormalities on chest radiograph or computer tomography (CT) scan.” Different diagnostic tests can be used including pulmonary function testing, bronchoalveolar lavage, genetic testing and lung biopsy. For radiologic imaging the same is true including plain radiography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging but CT is considered the standard. The natural history varies depending on the etiology and some some etiologies hasten mortality. The main concerns are diseases leading to pulmonary fibrosis. The causes are listed below but it appears that progression is likely due to repetitive injuries in vulnerable lung cells. Genetic and epigenetic factors are known to play a part, but also injuries fro...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news