13^th World Pediatric Congress

Everything seems to show that a good functioning of the respiratory system is essential to the development at an early age. Difficulties in both the upper and lower airways force the body to make adjustments that entail a series of physiological, postural, neurological, cranial and facial changes in patients. This happens even more clearly in early childhood, in which all biological systems are still immature. In this way, once the respiratory pathology has been stabilized or controlled, the adaptive effects could remain in the child, affecting its development and quality of life. A large number of current papers and specialized publications have highlighted the environmental and genetic factors involved in respiratory pathologies in childhood; moreover, especially harmful during periods of organogenesis and rapid lung growth during fetal development and early postnatal life. Besides, some studies show an increase of greater incidence in the last 20 years, mostly in developed countries. It is really important to understand the physiopathology of these adaptations and their consequences. In-depth the study of these mechanisms, their clinical manifestations and how all of these could affect the child’s life may be the key to find new therapeutic protocols and better prevention systems. To achieve this, the interdisciplinary approach is essential. Furthermore, this follows the indications of the ICF-CY. With these conditions both protocols and health policies will take into account the functional state associated with respiratory conditions.