Types of Lung Disease

The most common lung diseases leading to lung transplantation in children are listed below

Bronchiectasis (Bron-key-eck-ta-sis)
Bronchiectasis results from the destruction of small airways in the lungs. The airways dilate and do not function properly leading to recurrent infections. Several pulmonary diseases and infections can cause bronchiectasis.

Bronchiolitis Obliterans (Bron-key-oh-light-iss Oh-blit-er-anz)
Bronchiolitis obliterans is caused by destruction of the smallest airways in the lungs. This destruction leads to obstructive pulmonary disease. Chronic rejection causes bronchiolitis obliterans in transplanted lungs.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (Bron-ko-pull-mon-airy Dis-play-sha)
BPD is the form of chronic lung disease that develops in premature infants. The damage that immature lungs sustain when they are mechanically ventilated can lead to this form of severe lung disease.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) (Sis-tick Figh-bro-sis)
Cystic fibrosis is the most common lung disease that requires transplantation in children. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by a defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Children with cystic fibrosis have thick, sticky mucus in their lungs that blocking small airways and causes chronic infections. Most children with cystic fibrosis also have abnormalities in their panaceas leading to poor absorbing of fats and vitamins.

Interstitial Lung Disease
There are several forms of interstitial lung disease. These diseases cause damage and scarring within the alveoli and supporting tissues of the lung. Eventually this damage interferes with oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.

Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries that bring blood from the heart into the lungs. The high blood pressure can be caused by a congenital abnormality in the small blood vessels or by other diseases. Pulmonary hypertension can be associated with heart defects.