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Updated: May 23, 2026
07:56
Evaluating Regional Pulmonary Deposition using Patient-Specific 3D Printed Lung Models
Published on: November 11, 2020
Deposition of small particles in the developing lung
Israel Amirav1, Michael T Newhouse
1Pediatric Department, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel. amirav@012.net.il
Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
|April 6, 2012
Summary
Infants and young children require specialized aerosol delivery systems. Smaller particles and patient-friendly devices may improve inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy effectiveness in this unique population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric respiratory medicine
- Pharmacology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Infants and young children (0-3 years) exhibit unique anatomical, physiological, and emotional characteristics impacting respiratory tract development and aerosol delivery.
- Current therapeutic aerosol studies, particularly for inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), often utilize large particles (>3 μm MMAD), designed for adults and older children.
- Mask-based delivery systems, common for ICS, are frequently rejected by children under 3-4 years of age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the challenges of aerosol delivery in infants and young children.
- To evaluate the efficacy of large-particle aerosols in this pediatric subpopulation.
- To propose the need for further research into smaller particle aerosols and improved delivery systems for pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on aerosol particle size, delivery devices, and their impact on infants and young children.
- Analysis of anatomical, physiological, and emotional factors influencing aerosol deposition in the pediatric respiratory tract.
- Comparison of aerosol characteristics used in adult studies versus those potentially suitable for infants and young children.
Main Results:
- Large-particle aerosols (>3 μm MMAD) may be less effective for infants and young children due to their unique respiratory tract characteristics.
- Existing delivery systems, often mask-based, present challenges related to patient acceptance and adherence in very young children.
- The effectiveness of current inhaled medications in this age group warrants further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing aerosol therapy for infants and young children necessitates considering their specific developmental stage.
- Smaller particle aerosols and more patient-friendly delivery systems hold promise for improving therapeutic outcomes.
- Further research is crucial to determine the optimal aerosol characteristics and delivery methods for effective pediatric respiratory treatment.
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