Antenatally diagnosed lung malformations: a plea for long-term outcome studies

There is a wide variation in the management of infants with antenatally diagnosed lung malformations, with many paediatric surgeons and respiratory paediatricians recommending early investigations for all infants and a surgical excision for the majority of lesions, while others favour a conservative management for all asymptomatic infants. The benefits and risks of a surgical intervention have to be compared with the natural history of the untreated malformation and cohort studies from foetal diagnosis to adult life are required to provide the relevant evidence. Careful and repeated surveillance of identified foetuses is essential as recent advances in foetal medicine and surgery have improved the outcomes for the small minority, who are at risk of developing hydrops.