By Dr Deepu
ATS guidelines on childhood ILDs. Interstitial lung
disease (ILD) in infants is caused by entities that are distinct from those
that cause ILD in older children and adults. Growing recognition and
understanding of the various entities that cause ILD in children has led to the
need for improved classification and evaluation. A committee was convened by
the American Thoracic Society (ATS) to develop guidelines to inform clinicians,
patients, and organizations regarding the classi- fication, evaluation, and
management of childhood ILD (chILD).
There is growing
recognition and understanding of the entities that cause interstitial lung
disease (ILD) in infants. These entities are distinct from those that cause ILD
in older children and adults.
A multidisciplinary panel was convened to
develop evidence based guidelines on the classification, diagnosis, and
management of ILD in children, focusing on neonates and infants under 2 years
of age. Recommendations were formulated using a systematic approach. Outcomes
considered important included the accuracy of the diagnostic evaluation,
complications of delayed or incorrect diagnosis, psychosocial complications
affecting the patient’s or family’s quality of life, and death.
After common causes of DLD are
excluded, neonates and infants with childhood ILD syndrome should be evaluated
by a knowledgeable subspecialist. The evaluation may include echocardiography,
controlled ventilation high-resolution computed tomography, infant pulmonary
function testing, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, genetic testing,
and/or lung biopsy. Preventive care, family education, and support are
essential.
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article here – ILD GUIDELINES