In 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranked M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital's pediatric pulmonology program as one of the best in the country.
Overview
Our lungs help us breathe. Damaged lungs can lead to either acute lung problems or chronic lung disease. Chronic lung disease can be caused by inflammation and scarring around the tiny air sacs (alveoli) that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs.
There are many forms of chronic lung disease, including chronic lung disease of prematurity, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, known as COPD.
Although many types of chronic lung disease do not have a recognized etiology, it can be worsened by exposure to certain chemicals or fumes, including cigarette smoke.
Some medications and treatments can cause chronic lung disease, as can radiation therapy, certain lung infections, and connective tissue diseases, including systemic lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. If lung scarring has occurred, it may be irreversible. Medications and other specific therapies may slow the progression of the disease.
Our approach
Pulmonologists at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital offer excellent care for children with chronic lung diseases. We work with a multidisciplinary team to provide your child with the newest, most effective treatment options available. For example, our Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center is a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation accredited care center and has been a world leader in treating children with cystic fibrosis for more than 50 years. Our survival rates are among the highest in the world.
If your child’s condition progresses to advanced, end-stage lung disease, he or she may be a candidate for a lung transplant. The University of Minnesota has pioneered many lung transplant procedures, including the first breathing lung transplant in the Midwest. Today, we have the largest lung transplant program in the region, and our patient survival rates are significantly higher than the national average.