User:Mr. Ibrahem/Congenital pulmonary airway malformation

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a birth defect of the lung. Symptoms can vary from none to increased work of breathing, bluish skin, and swelling. Complications may include pneumonia, pneumothorax, or cancer. About 5% of those affected are stillborn.

The cause is generally unknown. The underlying mechanism involves the formation of non functional lung tissue during early development. There are five types: with type 1 being the most common and affecting one lobe of the lung; and type 2 being the next most common and occurring with multiple small cysts. Other types are less common. It is classified as a congenital thoracic malformation along with bronchogenic cysts and pulmonary sequestration. Diagnosis is often by ultrasound before birth.

Diagnosis before birth may allow the use of steroids or fetal surgery to improve outcomes. If symptoms occur after birth or more than 20% of a lung is involved, surgery is generally recommended. Otherwise either surgery or conservative management may be recommended. Type 1 generally has a good outcome, while type 2 generally has a poor outcome.

CPAM is rare, occurs in 1 in 10,000 to 35,000 newborns. It is the most common birth defect affected the lungs. Males are affected more often than females. CPAM was first described in 1949 and divided into 5 types in 1977.