Congenital lung malformations pertain to a group of lung problems that develop while the baby’s lungs are still developing. There are basically two types of congenital lung malformations. These are congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations and pulmonary sequestrations.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAMs) occur when the baby’s lung tissues grow more than the usual. This abnormal tissue formation can lead to growth of fluid-filled cysts that vary in size. These growths can keep the alveoli, the air sacs that make gas exchange possible, from developing normally. As a result, the baby with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations can have trouble breathing. He/she may develop more than one CCAM but typically, CCAMs occur in just one lung.

Pulmonary sequestrations (PSs) refer to solid masses of lung tissue. These masses can occur inside the lungs (intralobular PSs) or outside the lungs (extralobular PSs). Extralobular pulmonary sequestrations may occur in the chest or belly; they are also called as bronchopulmonary sequestrations.

Symptoms of Congenital Lung Malformations

Children with congenital lung malformations may exhibit the following symptoms: difficulty in breathing, recurrent chest infections such as pneumonia, wheezing, pain upon breathing, and trouble gaining weight.

How the lung malformations affect the children depends on the size of the growths. Small malformations can have no effect on the kids. But larger ones can be life-threatening that treating them is a primary concern even if the baby is still in the womb.

There are other concerns for the formation of these congenital lung malformations. One is the space it could take up on the baby’s chest. These growths can be so huge that it can keep the lung from developing normally or may push the lung on one side or on the mediastinum. The other concern is the complications which may include congenital heart failure and hydrops.

Diagnosis

These congenital lung malformations are usually diagnosed during routine prenatal ultrasound. When these growths are seen during these routine checkups, your doctor will suggest a care plan to continually monitor the baby before, during, and after birth.

Babies diagnosed with congenital lung malformations would typically need imaging studies like fetal magnetic resonance imaging and fetal echocardiogram. There will also be tests to determine the baby’s risk of developing congenital heart failure and hydrops.

When malformations are not diagnosed before birth and the child shows symptoms of them, then the doctor may suggest chest X-ray and CT scan. Other tests that may also be needed include MRI, bronchoscopy, and echocardiogram.

Treatment

Surgery is usually suggested to remove these abnormal growths in the lungs. The surgery is typically recommended by a pediatrician to remove the malformation in babies between 3 and 12 months old.

The aim of the surgery is to help correct the problems caused by the malformations in the lungs such as not having enough room for the lungs to develop at its normal size.