Lung epithelial cell apoptosis during acute lung injury in infancy.

CONTEXT: Apoptosis of lung epithelial cells is implicated in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury. Most research on this subject has focused on adults. Very little is known about a potential interaction of this process with lung development in children.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the current literature on lung epithelial cell apoptosis and common causes of acute lung injury in infants and young children and to identify new areas of research.

DESIGN

A Medline-based literature search.

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSIONS

Few studies have focused on lung epithelial cell apoptosis during common causes of acute lung injury in children. Nevertheless, the limited literature suggests that this may be an important mechanism during respiratory distress syndrome of infants and viral respiratory tract infection. Apoptosis is an essential process during lung development and maturation. Insufficient attention has been paid to potential consequences of this for the short- and long-term outcomes of acute lung injury.