Growing Up with Developmental Lung Diseases: A Review for the Adult Pulmonologist

Yadira Rivera-Sanchez, Zachary W. Blair, Tyler J. Wall, Kara N. Goss
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
United States

Chest
Chest 2025;
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2025.02.014

Abstract
Topic importance: Improved childhood management strategies have decreased the early life morbidity and mortality of severe developmental lung disorders, such that an increasing number of individuals ultimately transition care to adult pulmonologists for management. Alternatively, individuals with milder malformations may present in adulthood or may have an increased risk for the development of more common adult pulmonary comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or pulmonary hypertension. As such, there is a critical need for adult pulmonologists to understand how developmental lung disorders may impact respiratory morbidity over the lifespan.
Review findings: There is growing recognition that abnormal lung development contributes to lung disease across the lifespan. This article reviews commonly encountered complex developmental lung diseases, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, Down syndrome, and representative isolated airway and vascular anomalies. Their childhood and adult clinical presentations and co-morbidities will be discussed.
Summary: This review aims to provide the adult pulmonologist with a framework for evaluating and managing individuals with developmental lung diseases.

Category
Class III. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Lung Disease
Class III. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Lung Hypoplasia
Genetic Factors Associated with Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Review Articles Concerning Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Age Focus: Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease or Adult Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Fresh or Filed Publication: Fresh (PHresh). Less than 1-2 years since publication

Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: No

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