hypoplastic lungs
Last reviewed 01/2018
Pulmonary hypoplasia is the underdevelopment of the lung.
Infants with this condition develop respiratory distress from birth. The lungs of these infants are very stiff and there is little chest movement even with artificial ventilation. The infants develop hypoxia, hypercarbia, and a metabolic acidosis. Severe pulmonary hypoplasia is incompatible with life.