What is chILD
Overview
Children’s Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Disease (chILD) is not a single disease. Instead, it is a group of rare lung diseases found in infants, children, and adolescents. There are different types of chILD that vary in their severity and in their long-term outcomes. In simplest terms, all types of chILD decrease a child’s ability to supply oxygen to their body. Early diagnosis and treatment is important for any form of chILD. If you suspect your child has chILD, consult a pediatric pulmonologist with expertise in chILD.
Watch: An introduction to chILD, by Geoffrey Kurland, MD — Medical Director, Pediatric Heart
and Lung Transplantation at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
The information about chILD is limited to the number of research studies that have been done to date. However, there are a few things you can do:
- Keep checking our website. We’re working on getting as much information posted as possible. This non-profit group consists of families affected by chILD as well as the physicians treating ILD and working on finding a cure. There is information on disease specific information, descriptions of diagnostic testing, and tips for living with chILD.
- Ask your pediatrician for more information, but don’t be surprised if he or she doesn’t have enough. chILD is rare and not every doctor has had a chance to learn about it. If there is interest, your doctor can contact the clinical research network for more information.
- Connect with other families through our family forums and on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information or support, please contact us.