Pediatric Lung Diseases

Respiratory diseases will remain a major health problem for children in the United States until we develop effective prenatal and child care programs for all mothers and children. Application of existing knowledge for prevention of teenage pregnancy, smoking and drug cessation, and immunization and improved nutrition for the entire population would have a major impact on the health of our nation. This impact would be felt most dramatically in minority groups with disproportionate degrees of poverty-related problems.

Research is needed urgently in many areas. We need more effective means of applying existing technologies (eg, available immunizations and nutrition programs) to the entire population. New antiviral agents, correction of biochemical and physiologic defects associated with acute viral respiratory infections, genetic defects (eg, CF), and acute lung injury, and the psychological aspects of acute and chronic respiratory diseases in patients and their parents are of the highest priority for research.