[Significance of clinical pneumology in pediatrics]

Pediatric pneumology is a new subspecialty within the field of pediatrics. There is a large overlap with general pediatrics, so that it is essential for pediatric pneumology to be fully integrated into the wider field of general pediatrics. The main topics treated within this subspecialty are: neonatology (artificial ventilation and bronchopulmonary dysplasia); childhood asthma (long-term treatment and epidemiology); immunology (local immune system, recurrent infections in children); and cystic fibrosis. Research should be concentrated on methods of studying lung function in preschool children. The missing link between pediatric pneumology and pneumology in adults must be found, especially in the interests of patients with such chronic conditions as asthma and cystic fibrosis.