Childhood interstitial lung disease: When to suspect and what to do

Abstract

Childhood Interstitial lung Disease (chILD) is a heterogeneous group of more than 200 respiratory disorders characterized by the impairement of alveolar-capillary gas exchange and lung function. These disorders usually have a chronic course. Morbidity and mortality greatly vary depending on the disorder considered. Interstitial lung disease are associated with respiratory distress. During infancy the most common symptom to pay attention to is tachypnea, whilst in older children clinical presentation may be more insidious. When chILD is suspected, it is advisable to send the patient to a pediatric pulmonology center in order to set up a diagnostic work-up and an adequate treatment. A European protocol called the “Delphi method” has been standardizing empirical treatment since 2015.