New clinical practice guidelines on the classification, evaluation and management of childhood interstitial lung disease in infants: what do they mean?

Abstract

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) recently published a clinical practice guideline regarding the classification, evaluation, and management of childhood interstitial lung disease in infancy (chILD). As disease entities among infants with ILD are often distinct from forms seen in older children and adults, the guideline encourages an age-based classification system and focuses on the diagnostic approach to neonates and infants <2 years of age. The guideline reviews current evidence and recommendations for the evaluation, relevant genetic studies, and management of symptomatic infants. Here, we summarize the ATS guideline, highlight the major concepts, and discuss future strategies aimed at addressing current gaps in knowledge.

Keywords::

• chest CT
• children
• interstitial lung disease
• lung biopsy
• surfactant

Acknowledgement

We wish to thank all the individuals who participated in the development of the ATS Clinical Guideline that is discussed in this commentary. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of the American Thoracic Society.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

LR Young is an author for Up-To-Date. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.