What is pulmonary hypoplasia?

Also known as: pediatric pulmonary hypoplasia, aplasia, PH.

Pulmonary hypoplasia is a rare birth defect where there is incomplete development of lung tissue/blood vessels in one or both lungs, not allowing the baby to breathe normally. It may be Primary, or Secondary to another problem like congenital diaphragmatic hernia, fluid around the lungs (pleural effusions) or problems associated with the fetus making urine (resulting in decreased amniotic fluid- oligohydramnios). It is often associated with heart, gut, genitourinary and bone malformations.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM