Pediatric Pulmonary Program

The National Jewish Health for Kids Pediatric Pulmonology Program in Denver, Colorado, helps children get answers and take control of their breathing. Each year, hundreds of children come from across the U.S. to see our pediatric pulmonology specialists.

Breathing and lung conditions are common in children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Opens in a new window), about 1 in 10 children have asthma. Many premature infants can develop chronic lung disease. And the National Health Institute (Opens in a new window) says that up to 1 in 5 children experience breathing difficulties during exercise (exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (Opens in a new window)), especially those with asthma or allergies.

Our goal is to help you protect your child’s ability to breathe easier, improve their health and prevent serious complications. We start by finding the cause of their symptoms and making an accurate diagnosis. Then we create a treatment plan that is personalized for your child’s health needs and goals.

Pediatric Pulmonology Program Highlights

When you choose our program, you benefit from:

• Expert care from fellowship-trained, board-certified pediatric pulmonologists and experienced and highly trained advanced practice providers
• State-of-the-art testing to identify causes and triggers of asthma and other breathing conditions
• Latest pediatric pulmonology treatments
• Personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs
• Hands-on education to help you and your family understand and manage your child’s condition at home and school
• Whole-person care that supports your child’s physical, emotional and social well-being
• Multiday outpatient treatment program for hard-to-diagnose conditions
• Work with primary care providers to manage ongoing health issues

Personalized Medicine and Care

Your child’s care team may include specialists in allergy, immunology, behavioral health, physical therapy and other health care professionals. Our multispecialty team works together to provide coordinated care and support. We take the time to listen to you and answer your questions. We will give you the tools to make informed decisions about your child’s health.

Our team will work with you to develop a comprehensive care plan around your child’s individual needs. We will make sure you understand how to use medication and why, and when to seek care.

Our pediatric pulmonology team cares for children with all types of lung diseases including:

• Apnea of prematurity
• Aspiration
• Asthma
• Bronchiolitis
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• Chronic lung disease of prematurity
• Congenital lung malformations
• Cough, croup & stridor
• Cystic fibrosis
• Exercise intolerance related to breathing
• Hypoxemia
• Lung nodules
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Pneumonia
• Respiratory distress
• Respiratory infections
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Sleep disorders
• Vocal cord dysfunction

Nationally Recognized Expertise

• National Jewish Health has been pioneers in pulmonology and asthma care for more than 100 years.
• The first to identify IgE or immunoglobulin E (Opens in a new window). IgE is the molecule responsible for allergic reactions. It has become the basis for many allergy and asthma treatments.
• We published most of the first asthma research during the 1950s and 1960s. Our discoveries helped reshape care for children around the world. These findings established asthma as a disease of the airways. We challenged outdated beliefs about asthma causes. We demonstrated the importance of physical activity for children with asthma.
• Our physicians are nationally recognized for pediatric pulmonology care and research. We have helped write pediatric asthma guidelines that are used by physicians across the nation.
• Articles written by our physician-scientists and researchers are regularly published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including many of the most influential publications such as Pediatric Pulmonology (Opens in a new window), European Respiratory Journal (Opens in a new window), The New England Journal of Medicine (Opens in a new window), The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Opens in a new window), and Nature (Opens in a new window).
• Our physicians are often invited to present at national and international conferences where physicians gather to learn about the latest advancements in medicine.

Benefit from the Latest Research

Our physicians and scientists have long been leaders in pulmonology research. They work to ensure that patients can benefit from the latest advancements. This research includes:

• Development of diagnostic tests
• New treatments and therapies
• Studies to improve the quality of life for patients with respiratory diseases

Clinical Trials and Research Studies

National Jewish Health offers clinical trials and research studies for patients with asthma and other breathing disorders. Our research coordinators can help determine which studies may be right for you.

Make an Appointment

You may be referred to the National Jewish Health for Kids Pediatric Pulmonology program by your doctor, or you can make an appointment without a referral.

Make a referral

Treatment Locations

• Main campus
• Highlands Ranch