Pulmonology and Lung Surgery

A message from our division chief

As champions for innovative technologies in pulmonology, advocacy for access to treatments and clinical excellence for our patients, the Pulmonology division is dedicated to making life better for children.

From common conditions like asthma to complex diagnoses like primary ciliary dyskinesia, our physicians treat each patient with a dedicated approach to specialized care and support for their well-being. Partnering with local school districts and state legislators, members of our division were key advocates in achieving state-wide availability of Albuterol in public schools to support the pediatric asthmatic population throughout Texas and prevent death from severe asthma.

In support of our complex and chronically ill patients, we leverage leading-edge approaches and multidisciplinary collaboration to improve care. One such intervention was created to shorten the length of stay for sickle cell patients admitted with respiratory illnesses. By using positive pressure ventilation early in illness, patients can spend less time in the hospital. Getting patients back to their normal lives is paramount and a proven measure of positive outcomes.

Our cystic fibrosis (CF) clinic received the Excellence in Clinical Leadership Award from UT Southwestern Medical Center for our long-standing pursuit of excellence in cystic fibrosis outcomes. We continue to achieve superior outcomes for our CF patients, particularly in the forces expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), which is a critical measure of pulmonary function.

Our dedicated physicians are also committed to training the next generation of pediatric pulmonologists, sharing their expertise and passion as we pioneer a bright future for pulmonology care.

Andrew Gelfand, M.D.

OUTCOMES

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Innovations in pediatric pulmonology and lung surgery: 2024 year in review 

This past year, the Pulmonology department at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, part of Children’s Health, has led innovations transforming pediatric pulmonology care. In partnership with UT Southwestern, we’re proud to share these advancements – which highlight our ongoing mission to make life better for children. Through groundbreaking clinical trials, new treatments and pioneering programs – we continue to be recognized among the nation’s best children’s hospitals.

Read about our latest innovations in pediatric pulmonology and lung surgery below:

Establishing a novel treatment for children with SCD-induced hypoxemia

Children's Health is standardizing and evaluating a new treatment introduced for sickle cell-induced hypoxemia. The approach combines nighttime use of a BiPAP and six months of weekly respiratory physical therapy to improve a patient’s diaphragmatic breathing. The team observed that patients following the protocol had fewer hospitalizations and better quality of life.

Helping children with complex pulmonary hypertension thrive

As the only pulmonary hypertension (PH) program in North Texas, Children’s Health specializes in identifying the underlying cause of each patient’s disease and providing treatment that addresses their specific needs. The team offers the full range of PH medications, many of which require specialized training due to their potency and potential side effects. This team’s approach and expertise is helping many patients get back to breathing on their own and improving their long-term prognosis.

Changing parental behaviors lowers the risk of SUID

The ABCs of safe sleep practices are easy to remember, but getting an infant’s caregivers to follow them can be hard. Experts at the Children’s Health Sleep Disorders Center, the largest program in North Texas accredited by the AMSM, suggest a three-pronged approach: pediatricians and obstetricians should start talking to expectant parents as soon as possible about safe sleep practices; identify and educate all an infant’s caregivers; and be receptive to a family’s concerns and meet parents where they are. These tips can help you help parents make healthy choices.

Discover more on innovations in pediatric pulmonology at Children's Health