Childhood interstitial lung disease, sometimes abbreviated as ChILD, is a family of rare chronic and complex disorders that affect the lungs of children.^[1] In the lungs, these disorders affect the interstitium, which is the space around the alveoli. The alveoli are the air sacs of the lungs.^[2] For these disorders, the alveoli are typically impaired by inflammatory and fibrotic changes which can lead to dyspnea, diffuse infiltrates on chest radiographs, and abnormal pulmonary function tests.^[3]

Not all types of interstitial lung disease that occur in adults occur also in children, and vice versa.^[4][5] The group of disorders is heterogenous, and there are different definitions of what exactly should be classed as a ChILD disorder.^[1]

Childhood interstitial lung disease is a serious condition, with high morbidity and mortality.^[6][4] People with ChILD are at a higher risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, and development of pulmonary hypertension is associated with poor survival rates.^[6]

Classification

Many conditions are included in this group of diseases. They have been categorized into three groups:^[7]

• disorders of infancy, including lung problems caused by developmental disorders, growth abnormalities, and surfactant-related disorders;
• other categories that aren't specific to infancy, such as problems related to infections and immune disorders; and
• unclassifiable disorders

Diagnosis

Obtaining images of sufficient quality is more difficult than in adults. Imaging may or may not be sufficient for diagnosis.^[4]

Diagnostic methods include echocardiography, computed tomography, pulmonary function testing, bronchoscopy, genetic testing and biopsy.^[5]

Treatment

Although there is no cure for ChILD, common treatments include oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, extra nutrition, and corticosteroid medications. In severe ChILD cases, a lung transplant may prove effective. ^[8]

References