From the Guidelines
Pediatric respiratory diseases encompass a wide range of conditions affecting children's breathing and lung function, including upper respiratory infections, lower respiratory infections, chronic conditions, and congenital abnormalities. These conditions can be categorized into:
- Upper respiratory infections like the common cold, croup, sinusitis, and pharyngitis
- Lower respiratory infections such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and tuberculosis
- Chronic conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and primary ciliary dyskinesia
- Congenital abnormalities affecting respiration include tracheomalacia, laryngomalacia, pulmonary hypoplasia, and congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Other significant conditions include respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants, foreign body aspiration, sleep apnea, pleural effusions, pneumothorax, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung diseases, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary embolism 1. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2021, highlights the importance of post-prematurity respiratory disease (PPRD) in infants, children, and adolescents, which can manifest as chronic respiratory symptoms, including cough, recurrent wheezing, exercise limitation, and reduced pulmonary function 1. Early recognition of these conditions is crucial, as respiratory symptoms in children can progress rapidly due to their smaller airways and developing immune systems. Treatment approaches range from supportive care for viral infections to specific medications, respiratory support, or surgical interventions depending on the underlying condition. It is essential to prioritize the management of these conditions to improve morbidity, mortality, and quality of life outcomes in children with pediatric respiratory diseases.
From the Research
Pediatric Respiratory Diseases
The following is a list of pediatric respiratory diseases mentioned in the studies:
- Asthma 2, 3, 4, 5
- Bronchiolitis 2, 3, 4, 6, 5
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia 2
- Croup 4
- Influenza 4
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD) 2
- Pneumonia 2, 3, 4, 5
- Preschool wheezing 2
- Primary ciliary dyskinesia 2
- Respiratory bronchiolitis 6
- Constrictive (obliterative) bronchiolitis 6
- Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) 6
- Diffuse aspiration bronchiolitis 6
- Lymphocytic bronchiolitis 6
- Alveolar ductitis with emphysema 6
- Vaping-related lung injury 6
- Acute lung injury 5
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome 5
- Neonatal respiratory failure 5
- Status asthmaticus 5
Causes and Associations
Some of these diseases are associated with:
- Viral infections 3, 6, 5
- Bacterial infections 3
- Environmental/occupational inhalation exposures 6
- Cigarette smoking 6
- Transplant recipients (bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome) 6
- Vaping 6
- Aspiration-related lung disease 6
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis and treatment of these diseases may involve: