Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
06:15
Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
Interstitial lung diseases in infants and children
1Respiratory and Allergic Disease Division, Paediatric Dept, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 30, A-8036 Graz, Austria.
The European Respiratory Journal
|March 4, 2008
Summary
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in infants and children is a chronic respiratory condition with high mortality. This review covers current understanding of pediatric ILD, focusing on causes, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Neonatology
Background:
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in children is a complex group of chronic respiratory disorders.
- It is characterized by high morbidity and mortality, dyspnea, diffuse chest radiograph infiltrates, and abnormal pulmonary function.
- Diagnosing pediatric ILD is challenging due to a lack of a universally satisfactory classification system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current concepts of pathophysiological mechanisms in pediatric ILD.
- To discuss current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of ILD in infants and children.
- To explore proposed classifications for pediatric ILD.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on pediatric interstitial lung disease.
- Emphasis on pathophysiological mechanisms.
- Discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Pediatric ILD is heterogeneous, often chronic, with significant impact on morbidity and mortality.
- Diagnostic challenges persist, with proposed classifications needing refinement for infant and child inclusion/exclusion criteria.
- Understanding pathophysiological mechanisms is key to developing effective treatments.
Conclusions:
- Interstitial lung disease in infants and children requires a comprehensive approach considering its heterogeneous nature.
- Further research is needed to refine classification and treatment strategies for pediatric ILD.
- This review highlights current knowledge on mechanisms and treatment for pediatric ILD.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
01:05Breathing
The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
01:17Other Pulmonary Disorders
Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
01:25Immunodeficiency Diseases
Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...