|  | Family Health | Childrens Health

Pulmonary Diseases in Children

Pulmonary diseases in children are diseases that affect the lungs and breathing. While many conditions of the lungs are passing, there are several chronic disorders that require constant medical attention and are serious cause for concern. Among the most chronic and prevalent are asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis and obstructive breathing disorders.

  1. Asthma

    • According to the University of Miami, asthma is a serious and growing problem that affects approximately 10 percent of all children in the United States. Asthma is a condition in which the bronchial tubes in the lungs are chronically and constantly inflamed, making breathing difficult. Children with asthma have special difficulty breathing on days when smog is high or when their lungs are unusually exercised. It is estimated that asthma is the cause of children missing school days more than any other physical disorder or condition.

    Cystic Fibrosis

    • Another condition of special concern in children is cystic fibrosis, according to the University of Miami. This is a condition in which the lungs fill up with mucus and breathing becomes exceedingly difficult. Children with this disorder are often diagnosed very early in life and have only recently begun living into adulthood. Historically, children with cystic fibrosis did not have long life expectancy. Treatment for this disorder includes breaking up the mucus by pounding the child on the back and using suction to pull the mucus out of the lungs.

    Chronic Bronchitis

    • Children with chronic bronchitis are of special concern, according to Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. It is estimated that acute and chronic bronchitis contributes to high numbers of doctor's visits every year. Many children with acute bronchitis will go on to develop asthma as their lungs become scarred with the disease, making breathing more and more difficult with each year. In many cases, children also go on to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or COPD.

    Sleep Apnea

    • According to the University of Miami, one of the serious problems that children of today face is sleep apnea. This is a condition in which a person stops breathing during their sleep. Individuals with this disorder may find their sleep interrupted numerous times during the night, resulting in daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating and other problems. Sleep apnea is most often caused by obesity, but also may be caused by structural irregularities in the mouth and throat.

    Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

    • One of the problems that children born prematurely can face is bronchopulumonary dysplasia (BPD), according to KidsHealth. This condition is also called chronic lung disease. Children with BPD often face severe pulmonary and breathing difficulties throughout their lives. In premature children, the lungs are underdeveloped, causing chronic inflammation and scarring. This results in asthma and other pulmonary conditions.

Childrens Health - Related Articles