Pediatric Pulmonology

Some kids need more than a regular doctor to help them breathe easier. At Ochsner Children's, our pediatric lung specialists treat children with complex breathing problems caused by things like premature birth, rare anatomy, or genetic conditions that affect sleep, digestion or the nervous system.

We care for children with asthma, lung diseases like cystic fibrosis, sleep issues and more. Some depend on oxygen or ventilators. Our team has the training and experience to help.

If your child sees several specialists, we make it easier by coordinating care. At our Pediatric Aerodigestive Program in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, your child can see a full team, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists (GI doctors), ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, speech therapists, dietitians and more.

Our care team also includes social workers and Certified Child Life Specialists to support your child’s emotional well-being. At Ochsner, we care for the whole child, every step of the way.

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

Ochsner pediatric pulmonologists treat a variety of conditions 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 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 breathing 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 Children's 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 allows pulmonologists to examine the airway and lungs
• Chest X-ray
• Lung function test: A test that examines how well your lungs are working
• 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 the best health possible.

A pediatric pulmonologist specializes in conditions that impact the respiratory system, which are the organs and tissues that help you breathe. The respiratory system includes the nose, mouth, throat, voice box, windpipe and lungs.

At Ochsner, we take a personalized approach to treating asthma in children. Our care includes prescribing medications like inhalers or nebulizers to manage symptoms, conducting lung function tests to monitor progress, and providing education to help families understand and control asthma triggers. Our goal is to ensure your child can breathe easier and lead a healthy, active life.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that can cause a variety of symptoms in children, including persistent coughing, frequent lung infections, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Other signs may include poor growth, salty-tasting skin and digestive issues such as greasy stools. At Ochsner, we use advanced diagnostic tools like sweat tests to confirm a diagnosis and provide personalized care to manage the condition.

Pediatric sleep apnea, while less common than in adults, does occur and can significantly impact a child’s health and development. Symptoms include loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, restless sleep and daytime fatigue or behavioral issues. Our team at Ochsner specializes in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea in children, offering solutions such as sleep studies and tailored treatment plans to improve your child’s quality of life.

Pediatric lung tissue diseases, such as interstitial lung disease, can present with symptoms like chronic coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty exercising. These conditions may also cause fatigue and poor growth in children. At Ochsner, we provide expert care to diagnose and manage these complex conditions, helping children achieve better respiratory health.