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Updated: Dec 8, 2025

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 disease in infancy
Andrew Bush1, Carlee Gilbert2, Jo Gregory3
1Imperial College, UK; Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Insights
Congenital interstitial lung disease (chILD) presents a diagnostic challenge in newborns with respiratory distress. Early diagnosis, often requiring genetic analysis or lung biopsy, is crucial for appropriate management and genetic counseling.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Neonatology
- Medical Genetics
Background:
- Congenital interstitial lung disease (chILD) is a rare but critical consideration in term neonates with respiratory distress.
- Early-onset chILD is often linked to surfactant protein gene mutations or the Congenital Acinar Dysplasia - Alveolar capillary dysplasia - Congenital Alveolar Dysplasia (CAD-ACD) spectrum, typically requiring supportive care with a poor prognosis.
- Milder forms, including neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy (NEHI) and pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis (PIG), may present with slower progression and potential for improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic approaches and management strategies for early-onset congenital interstitial lung disease (chILD) in neonates.
- To emphasize the importance of genetic analysis and lung biopsy in diagnosing chILD, particularly the CAD-ACD spectrum.
- To highlight the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary support for chILD survivors and their families.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature and clinical guidelines for diagnosing and managing early-onset chILD.
- Discussion of diagnostic tools including genetic testing and lung biopsy.
- Analysis of prognostic factors and treatment outcomes for various chILD subtypes.
Main Results:
- Early-onset chILD has a diverse etiology, with severe forms often associated with genetic mutations and a poor prognosis.
- Diagnostic challenges exist, especially for the CAD-ACD spectrum, necessitating careful consideration of lung biopsy.
- Less severe forms like NEHI and PIG may allow for slower improvement and eventual weaning from respiratory support.
Conclusions:
- Accurate and timely diagnosis of early-onset chILD is essential for guiding management and providing genetic counseling.
- Supportive care is the mainstay for severe chILD, while milder forms may improve over time.
- Long-term, coordinated multidisciplinary support is vital for chILD survivors and their families.
Abstract:
There is a wide differential diagnosis of early onset respiratory distress especially in term babies, and interstitial lung disease (chILD) is a rare but important consideration in this context. chILD manifesting immediately after birth is usually related to mutations in surfactant protein genes, or conditions related to the Congenital Acinar Dysplasia -Alveolar capillary dysplasia - Congenital Alveolar Dysplasia (CAD-ACD) spectrum. There is currently no specific treatment for these conditions, and management is supportive. Prognosis is very poor in most of these babies if onset is early, with relentless respiratory deterioration unless transplanted. Ideally, the diagnosis is made on genetic analysis, but this may be time-consuming and complex in CAD-ACD spectrum, so lung biopsy may be needed to avoid prolonged and futile treatment being instituted. Milder forms with prolonged survival have been reported. Early onset, less severe chILD is usually related to neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy (NEHI), pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis (PIG) and less severe disorders of surfactant proteins. PIG and NEHI are not specific entities, but are pulmonary dysmaturity syndromes, and there may be a number of underlying genetic and other cause. If the child is stable and thriving, many will not be subject to lung biopsy, and slow improvement and weaning of supplemental oxygen can be anticipated. Where possible, a precise genetic diagnosis should be made in early onset cHILD allow for genetic counselling. chILD survivors and their families have complex respiratory and other needs, and co-ordinated, multi-disciplinary support in the community is essential.
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