Information would be great

[ry'smomma]

I have a severly delayed child who has been getting bouts of pneumonia every month for the past year.  I have been told that most of these pmeumonias are due to aspiration.  However, he has had a fundoplication and cannot vomit, but he does not handle his own secretions well at all.  He has asthma, broncho pulminary displaygia and chronic lung disease.  What can all these pneumonias due to his already compromised lungs and is there anything we, as parents, can do to cut down on his hospital visits.  As of this posting he has been hospitalized three times since Easter of this year.  The longest has been three weeks, home for about a week, back in for another two and a half weeks, home for three days and not back in again.  We are going to have an allergy test performed on him to determine if there are any triggers in the home that could possible start a chain reaction and we are also having a PH probe done.  We, as a family, are at wits end.  Any and all information would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[ry'smomma]

We already see a Respirologist, is a Pulomonologist different?  I know they still have to do with lung function.  We are not doing a PH Probe instead we are going to have a bronchoscopy and a gastroscopy done so both specialists can sees the biology of both the lung and stomch/esophagus.  Thanks so much for responding I really appreciate it.

[National Jewish]

This sounds frustrating.  This child's bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) does predispose him/her to pneumonia.  He may be aspirating material from his throat and sinuses.  The pH probe is a good idea.  The BPD could also cause slow and even incomplete resolution of pneumonia.  He could have the same infection, recurring, and might require a longer course of therapy.  He should be seen by a pediatric pulmonologist.  The parents should speak with that specialist about likely causes of recurrence, any other measures that might break the cycle, and this child's ultimate prognosis, based on his pulmonary disease and present pulmonary reserve.

It is understandable that you are at your "wits end".  We would be, too.  It is even more important then that you seek the most knowledgeable consultant(s) and have frank discussions about what you are facing together and the long-term outlook for your child.