Lung disorders can affect how well a child’s lungs grow, develop and work. These problems may involve the airways, the lungs, or the muscles and nerves that help with breathing. They can make it harder for a child to breathe, get enough oxygen or clear mucus from their lungs.

Common causes of lung disorders in kids:

• Swelling of the airways
• Blockages in the airway
• Pauses in breathing (apnea)
• Lung infections
• Underdeveloped lungs (in newborn or premature babies)
• Nerve or muscle problems that affect breathing

Symptoms of lung disorders may include:

• Fast, labored or noisy breathing
• A cough that won’t go away
• Wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing out
• High-pitched sound when breathing in (stridor)
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Pauses in breathing during sleep

Several types of lung disorders can impact kids and teens.

Chronic lung diseases

Chronic lung diseases are lasting conditions that affect how well a child’s lungs work. They often require long-term treatment to help kids breathe easier and stay healthy as they grow.

Respiratory illnesses

Respiratory illnesses are infections or conditions that affect the lungs and airways, making breathing harder for a child.

Two common examples in kids include:

• Croup: A viral illness that causes swelling in the upper airway. It can lead to a barking cough, hoarse voice, and noisy breathing.
• Recurrent pneumonia: Repeat lung infections that cause coughing, fever, chest congestion, and a hard time breathing. Repeat pneumonia may be a sign of an issue with the lungs or the immune system.

Airway disorders

Airway disorders are conditions that make breathing harder for kids by affecting the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. They can occur due to how the lungs grow, the shape of the airway, or how the brain controls breathing.

Key types of airway disorders in kids:

• Tracheal disorders: These disorders affect the windpipe and can cause noisy breathing, trouble catching a breath, or a chronic cough.
• Restrictive lung disease: Conditions, like severe scoliosis (a curved spine), can press on the lungs, making it harder for them to expand.
• Infant apnea: Occurs when a newborn or premature baby stops breathing for short periods during sleep.

Our lung experts will help you find the proper treatment for your child based on their condition, cause and symptoms.

Medicines

Medicine may help control symptoms, depending on your child’s condition.

Common types of medicine include those that help:

• Open the lungs and relax the airways
• Thin mucus
• Stop swelling in the airway and a drop in lung function
• Remove fluid from the lungs
• Reduce stomach acid and reflux
• Reduce congestion

We may also offer nutrition support to help a child’s lungs develop, avoid foods that trigger reflux and promote overall growth.

Supplemental oxygen

Supplemental oxygen helps kids with certain lung disorders get enough oxygen when their lungs can’t do it on their own. It supports their brain and organs, reduces strain on the heart and lungs, and can help them feel less tired or breathless. Some kids may need it only during sleep or illness, while others may use it more often.

Infant apnea and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Program

The Infant Apnea and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Program at Children's Wisconsin treats kids with breathing issues.

When a child needs further testing to diagnose or treat a condition, our experts use:

• Cardiorespiratory monitors: These devices track heart rate and breathing. They help find issues or pauses in breathing.
• Polysomnography: This test records sleep patterns, breathing and heart rate. It checks for issues like sleep apnea or breathing problems during sleep.
• Infant lung function testing: This test watches how well the lungs work. It checks for problems with breathing or low oxygen levels.
• Fiberoptic bronchoscopy: In this test, a doctor uses a thin tube with a camera. They insert it into the airway to look for a blockage.

CPAP Program

Sometimes kids need to wear a special mask while sleeping to keep the airway open.

Our CPAP Program offers support for kids who need one of these treatments:

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine
• Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machine
• Home ventilator with a mask

The Children's Wisconsin Pulmonary Medicine Program helps kids and teens with lung disorders get the care and treatment they need.

Top doctors: Our doctors rank among the Best Doctors in America. This highlights their strong reputation in pediatric care.

Award-winning care: U.S. News & World Report ranked pulmonary care at Children's Wisconsin among the best in the nation. Lung care is part of our pulmonary care.

Health care heroes: BizTimes Milwaukee honored our tracheostomy and home ventilator team as Notable Heroes in Health Care for their outstanding work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hands-on training: We provide a monthly Pediatric Ventilator Certification Course for home care nurses. Our patient and family training also helps parents and caregivers prepare to care for their child at home.

Local resources: We partner with home nurses, medical device companies, and school staff. This helps kids return to their daily lives after tracheostomy surgery.

For questions or to plan a visit, call the Pulmonary Medicine Program at (414) 266-6730.

Before

You may need a referral from your child’s primary care provider. Once that’s in place, we’ll help you schedule a clinic visit.

Before your appointment, we may ask you to complete forms about:

• Your child’s symptoms
• Their health history
• Prior treatments
• Any concerns

During

You and your child will meet with our lung experts, who will:

• Talk through your child’s symptoms and health history
• Perform a physical exam
• Order or perform tests if needed, such as chest X-rays, breathing tests or oxygen level checks
• Discuss possible causes and next steps for diagnosis or treatment

After

You’ll receive a visit summary through MyChart. Based on your child's needs, the team may schedule follow-up visits, other testing, therapies or refer you to other doctors.