Pediatric Pulmonology

Children who need our care have breathing problems rooted in causes that are beyond the scope of a family physician or pediatrician. Our experienced pulmonologists have the expertise to manage many pediatric respiratory conditions, from those caused by premature birth and unique anatomies, to those resulting from genetic disorders that interfere with sleep, the nervous system or the digestive system. Pediatric pulmonologists at Ochsner have specialized training to treat children with airway disorders, dependency on ventilators for oxygen, sleep disorders, asthma, neuromuscular conditions, developmental issues and lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

For children with multiple, related health issues, we can coordinate your appointments with other doctors to help streamline care and make sure they receive the right care. Our Pediatric Aerodigestive Program locations in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, for example, provide collaborative care from pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, ear, nose and throat specialists, speech therapists, and dietitians.

While we will see each child independently, all these specialists meet as a group to discuss your child’s care plan and make it easy to schedule treatments or procedures. At Ochsner, you’ll also have access to social workers and Certified Child Life Specialists to support your child’s social and emotional health.

Families dealing with a child’s respiratory condition sometimes face unexpected challenges. At Ochsner, the healthcare we would want for our children is the care we’ll give yours. Our pulmonology team is prepared to see children when they have urgent needs. With several experienced pulmonologists available for consultation and evaluation, we can often schedule an appointment when it’s most needed, sometimes on the same day.

Many families find it comforting to know the underlying reason for a child’s struggle to breathe and how certain therapies may work. As we partner with your family to improve your child’s pulmonary health, we are committed to making time to hear your concerns and answer questions until you are satisfied.

When possible, we can offer virtual visits to help you avoid unnecessary travel. When your child needs to see a provider in person, you can visit one of our convenient pediatric pulmonology offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Covington, Louisiana. Find a location near you.

Ochsner pediatric pulmonologists treat a variety of conditions that impact how your child breathes and functions, including:

• Airway malacia — softness in the walls of the airway that causes the airway to collapse and obstruct a child’s breathing

• Asthma — ongoing wheezing, breathlessness or coughing that keeps a child from breathing freely

• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia — lung disease caused by premature birth

• Cystic fibrosis — a genetic disease that causes the body to produce abnormally thick mucus, sweat and digestive juices that interfere with healthy breathing and function

• Exercise-induced bronchospasm — muscle tightening in the airway during exercise

• Interstitial lung disease — conditions that cause the lungs to develop scars that prevent children from drawing breath and getting enough oxygen

• Ongoing oxygen therapy — a requirement for many newborns and premature infants who have lung disease

• Pectus excavatum — a condition in which a child’s breastbone is unnaturally sunken in the chest

• Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea — a sleeping disorder in which a narrow or blocked airway disrupts breathing at night

• Pulmonary hypertension — high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs

Ochsner pediatric pulmonologists offer a full range of treatment options for conditions that impact how kids breathe. These treatments can include:

• Flexible bronchoscopy — a minimally invasive procedure that lets pulmonologists examine the airway and lungs

• Chest X-ray

• Lung function test

• Inpatient and outpatient consultations

• Management of children with tracheostomies, chronic assisted ventilation or oxygen dependency

• Ongoing follow-up care

• Sweat tests — a standard test that detects cystic fibrosis

• Ventilator management

If your child has a chronic cough, wheezing or shortness of breath, an appointment with a pulmonologist is needed. We work closely with your pediatrician to ensure that your child is properly diagnosed and receives the appropriate level of treatment. At Ochsner, parents are part of their child’s care team, and we empower you to be proactive. No one knows your child like you do. We’re here to listen to your concerns and find solutions to help your child have optimal health.

A pediatric pulmonologist specializes in conditions that impact the respiratory system, the series of organs and tissues that enables the air you breathe to pass from your nose or mouth to your lungs. The respiratory system includes the nose, mouth, throat, voice box, windpipe and lungs.