Post-preemie Lung Disease Clinic
Premature babies are often born with underdeveloped lungs, which puts them at higher risk for infant chronic lung disease, also called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Even after discharge from the NICU, many children still need follow-up care. As their lungs continue to grow and heal, they are more likely to be affected by respiratory illnesses during the first two to three years of life.
Studies show that about 40% of children with infant chronic lung disease continue to have symptoms during childhood, including wheezing, coughing with viral illnesses, or shortness of breath during exercise. Up to 25% have symptoms in adulthood.
The Post-preemie Lung Disease Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides coordinated follow-up care for children born prematurely, from infancy through adolescence, to support long-term lung health and reduce complications.
How we serve you
Our clinicians will work closely with you to help your child achieve the best outcomes. You play an important role by watching for symptoms, managing supplemental oxygen and giving medications, and we want you to feel confident caring for your child. If your child needs supplemental oxygen, we’ll partner with you to create a home-based plan so your child can rely less on oxygen over time and take part in everyday activities.
Meet our team
Our highly experienced team is specially trained in caring for post-preemie children with lung disease. Each one of us has the same goal: helping your child achieve the best possible outcome.
Post-preemie lung disease clinic locations
Appointments are available on our Philadelphia Campus at the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care.
Post-preemie lung disease resources
We know that caring for a child with lung disease can be stressful. These handbooks can help you feel confident in the care you’re providing your child.
Who we treat
In the Post-preemie Lung Disease Clinic, we provide specialized care for children who had chronic lung disease as a premature infant and who still have intermittent or chronic respiratory problems. We also follow children born prematurely that may not currently have symptoms but who are at risk for respiratory problems during childhood and adolescence. Our patients include:
- Children who need supplemental oxygen after leaving the hospital and help safely weaning off oxygen
- Children taking breathing medicines, such as diuretics, steroids, or albuterol, and those who need help adjusting or stopping medications
- Children with ongoing or occasional breathing symptoms, such as fast breathing, coughing, chest congestion, wheezing, or shortness of breath, especially during colds or exposure to triggers like cold air, cigarette smoke or indoor allergens
- Preschool-age children who may be at risk for sleep-related breathing problems
- Children who did well early on but later develop asthma-like symptoms with exercise, allergens or viral illnesses due to prematurity
- Children who received NICU care at hospitals other than CHOP
- Children without symptoms who need periodic monitoring during times of rapid growth, such as adolescence
What to expect
Every child’s lung health journey is different, so visit schedules depend on your child’s condition and treatment needs. Children on supplemental oxygen may be seen every four to six weeks at first, with visits spaced farther apart as oxygen is reduced. Children who are stable on breathing medications are usually seen three to four times a year. Children who no longer need oxygen or medication typically return once a year for lung function tests to track progress and watch for breathing problems that may return, such as sleep apnea or asthma-like symptoms.
Our research
The Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine has an active clinical research program aimed at better understanding the causes of lung diseases and developing new ways to improve the lives of children.
Your donation changes lives
Your donation fuels innovative care and breakthrough research so children with chronic lung disease can grow and thrive.
