For most of us, breathing is so natural that we take it for granted. But for some children, this simple act can be a painful struggle.

At St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, a team of pediatric pulmonary medicine experts treats children with a wide range of acute and chronic lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, apnea, respiratory infections, bronchiolitis, congenital malformations including chest wall deformations and pneumonia.

The team is investigating new therapies that may help ease respiratory difficulties in Cystic Fibrosis patients. Many of these studies are being conducted in conjunction with the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Other highlights of the Pediatric Pulmonary Center include:

• Apnea Program, which focuses on detection, causes and prevention of this life-threatening condition, in which babies stop breathing unexpectedly, usually during their sleep. Also includes sleep studies in children and adolescents to diagnose sleep apnea.
• Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Program, which coordinates long-term follow-up care, family counseling and medical expertise for children with BPD. This chronic lung disorder is caused by premature birth and prolonged mechanical ventilation that can result in asthma, pneumonia and other airway problems.
• Home Mechanical Ventilation Program, which allows children who require high technology ventilatory support for chronic respiratory failure, to live at home with their families.
• Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy Program, which allows physicians to explore the airways with a tiny fiberoptic telescope to see lesions and to obtain samples of tissues and microorganisms from the airways and lungs.
• Asthma
• Pulmonary Function Test Laboratory - Testing lung function in infants and older children, exercise/stress test, sweat test and sleep studies.
• Sweat testing
• Pulmonary laboratories

For more information or to make an appointment, call 215-427-5183.