Lung and airway problems can make breathing, sleeping and staying active difficult for children. At MU Health Care, our pediatric pulmonology team provides expert care for a wide range of conditions, helping kids breathe easier and thrive.
Our pediatric pulmonologists (lung specialists) offer specialized care for kids of all ages with rare and common lung and airway disorders.
We treat premature infants, babies, children and teens with:
- Airway obstruction (blockage)
- Asthma
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease affecting newborns and infants
- Chest wall malformations
- Chronic pulmonary aspiration (repeated inhalation of food, liquid or stomach contents)
- Chronic respiratory failure
- Croup (upper-airway infection)
- Cystic fibrosis (CF)
- Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
- Lung-related complications from congenital heart disease, scoliosis, muscular dystrophy and other conditions
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD), which causes scarring in the lungs
- Pneumonia
- Recurrent respiratory infections, including whooping cough (pertussis)
- Respiratory complications of prematurity
- Sleep apnea, sleepwalking or night terrors
- Swallowing difficulties
- Tracheomalacia (airway collapse during exhalation)
When Should My Child See a Pediatric Pulmonologist?
Your child may benefit from seeing one of our pediatric pulmonologists if they’ve already been diagnosed with a respiratory condition. For example, our team can help children of all ages with congenital anomalies like chest wall deformities. We can also provide the highest level of care for kids with cystic fibrosis, sleep disorders and aerodigestive diseases.
If your child’s symptoms don’t yet have a diagnosis, we can help assess and determine the cause of issues such as:
- Choking during feeding
- Frequent coughing
- “Noisy” breathing, such as rattling or raspy sounds
- Shortness of breath, which may appear as rapid or shallow breathing or a chest that “sinks in” during inhalation
- Recurrent lung infections
- Snoring or difficulty breathing while sleeping
- Unusual tiredness or trouble breathing during exercise
- Wheezing
If your child shows any signs of a potential lung condition, talk to your pediatric primary care provider. Your provider may recommend meeting with a pediatric pulmonologist who specializes in treating kids’ respiratory and sleep disorders.
