The Section of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Chicago is committed to providing exceptional care to children with a variety of pulmonary disorders in the in-patient setting, in consultations and in our numerous U. of C. and offsite clinics in Palos Heights, Merrillville, Indiana, and Evanston. The Section also focuses on training future pediatricians. The pulmonary elective is actively subscribed to by medical students and pediatric residents, and a three year ACGME approved pulmonary fellowship program has been reinvigorated. The section has a strong commitment to developing further understanding and new treatments of pulmonary diseases through basic science and clinical research.
Clinical Program
The physicians and staff of the pediatric pulmonary section at the University of Chicago provide comprehensive evaluation and management for a wide variety of pulmonary disorders including: apnea; asthma; birth defects; Bronchopulmonary dysplasia; Cystic fibrosis (CF); neuromuscular disorders leading to chronic lung problems; recurrent and persistent pneumonias; sleep-related breathing problems; and unusual respiratory infections. They also provide ongoing care for children who require chronic ventilator support at home, including children with muscular dystrophy or spinal cord injuries.
Specialized tests, including minimally invasive procedures, are available to help determine the cause of even the most complicated respiratory problems in children. Some of the tests available include:
- Fiberoptic bronchoscopy
- Chest X-rays, computed tomography with CT Angio and 3-d reconstructed views and ventilation-perfusion scans
- Sweat testing and genetic testing for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis
- Pulmonary function testing
- Infant pulmonary function testing
- Tests to assess lung function in children with exercise-induced symptoms
- Sleep studies to detect breathing problems during sleep
The University of Chicago also maintains a fully accredited Cystic Fibrosis Center which provides specialized care to patients and families with cystic fibrosis. The Center has been continuously approved and funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation since 1967.
Education and Training of Residents
During a month long pulmonary selective, 4th year medical students and pediatric residents acquire in-depth knowledge and experience with commonly encountered pulmonary problems of infants and children. Residents develop an understanding of diagnostic strategies and basic management of patients referred for evaluation of the following: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, acute and chronic ventilatory support, muscular dystrophies, apparent life threatening events, apnea of prematurity, and congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. Residents are provided with an understanding of pediatric pulmonary function testing to include indications, limitations, risks and costs. Residents gain an understanding of the Respiratory Physiology (Sleep) Laboratory to include indications, limitations, risks, costs. In addition, residents learn how the laboratory can be used in conjunction with other evaluations such as pH probe studies, fluoroscopy, and EEG monitoring. Residents are provided with an understanding of different options for home monitoring and home ventilation (invasive and non-invasive). Residents will also be exposed to the multidisciplinary approach to the child and young adult with cystic fibrosis in conjunction with CF program.
Research Program
Dr. Lucille A. Lester’s research focuses on the early treatment of lung infection in cystic fibrosis, the interrelation of nutritional status and chronic lung disease in infants and children, and the genetics of asthma, in collaboration with Dr. Carole Ober in the section of Human Genetics..
Dr. Maria L. Dowell recently received a K12 award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the mechanisms regulating the plasticity of airway smooth muscle. The objective of the study is to identify the molecular mechanisms that regulate the plasticity-elasticity balance of contracted airway smooth muscle, as a possible factor in a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of asthma.
Dr. Oren J. Lakser is currently conducting basic science research investigating the role of tidal breathing in airway smooth muscle lengthening. He is doing in vitro and in vivo experiments studying a variety of cytokine signaling pathways and their influence on this breathing effect. This work may provide an improved understanding of physiologic changes in clinical disease states such as asthma or cystic fibrosis which may translate into future therapeutic options for those affected by these entities.
Dr. Julian Solway, Professor of Medicine and Vice Chair for Research in the Biological Sciences Division has a joint appointment in the Pediatric Pulmonary section. He leads a multifaceted research program in asthma which brings together physician scientists, geneticists, cellular immunologists, molecular biologists, and physiologists in studies that have been supported for 10 years through an NHLBI SCOR grant in Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Asthma and currently through a NIAID Asthma and Allergic Diseases Research Center (P01). Fellows in Pediatric Pulmonary and Pediatric Critical Care have been and currently are mentored and supported in his research laboratory.
Visit the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital web site for more information about our pediatric pulmonary clinical care services.
