| Neuroendocrine hyperplasia | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy |
| Specialty | Pulmonology |
Neuroendocrine hyperplasia is rare and poorly understood lung condition which is characterized by an abnormal growth of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells in the lungs. It is a non-progressive disease of the interstitial tissues of the lungs. Prior to the findings of the hyperplasia of neuroendocrine cells it was known as tachypnea of infancy, as most children outgrow the need for oxygen supplementation within two to seven years. It is characterized by tachypnea, hypoxemia, and retractions.[1] It is typically diagnosed in infants and children younger than one year of age.[2] There is no currently recognized treatment, infants and children are given oxygen supplementation until they outgrow the need; since neuroendocrine cells do not multiply or get larger in size while the lungs continue to grow. This allows the lung disease to have less effect on lung function with age, although they will always have the same amount of neuroendocrine cells as they were born with.