Congenital anomalies of the airways symptoms can be a source of worry for parents and medical professionals alike. But they can also be a positive experience if diagnosed and treated early.
Symptoms of congenital lung malformations depend on the type and location of the abnormality. Some types of congenital lung defects aren’t life threatening and don’t need any treatment, while others are serious enough to require surgery or other interventions to prevent complications.
Lobar emphysema is a rare but very serious condition that can interfere with an infant’s breathing. It causes the lobes of their lungs to enlarge, making them harder to breathe in and out.
Pulmonary hypoplasia is a more common condition that results in an abnormally low number or size of the bronchopulmonary segments (air sacs) or alveoli within the lungs. It’s often caused by other fetal problems that interfere with lung development.
Bronchogenic cysts are usually found on a routine prenatal ultrasound, but they can also be seen on chest X-rays of newborns. They look like white, lumpy masses that are sometimes surrounded by tiny dark circles and are a common sign of a possible obstructed airway.
They’re most likely to occur in infants who are born prematurely, since they have less time to grow their lungs and airways. But it’s also possible to have them in full-term babies and even post-term ones.
Pneumonia is another problem that can happen if a lung defect interferes with how the body gets rid of carbon dioxide. When your lungs don’t work properly, your body can’t get enough oxygen into the blood and waste products build up in the lungs.
It’s important to have regular yearly medical checkups, including a physical exam and a history of any recent health problems or family history. Those can help doctors figure out if your baby needs more medical care, like a surgery or other intervention.
Other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms and imaging findings include a lung infection or sarcoidosis. It’s important to see your doctor for these conditions quickly so they can treat them and prevent further problems.
Medications can also be used to control the symptoms of some conditions, such as asthma or pneumonia. However, they don’t treat the actual problem.
In many cases, a doctor will be able to diagnose a child with a congenital lung disorder without any other tests or procedures. If they think it’s serious, doctors will usually recommend surgery to remove the abnormality and prevent future complications.
