Overview
Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation is a very rare birth defect in which abnormal lung tissue or a cystic mass in the chest has an open connection (communication) with part of the digestive tract, most commonly the esophagus or stomach. During early development in the womb, the lungs and the digestive tube (foregut) develop from the same tissue. In this condition, something goes wrong during that separation, leaving a persistent channel between the airway or lung tissue and the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to repeated lung infections, breathing difficulties, feeding problems, and sometimes coughing or choking during meals because food or stomach contents can pass into the lungs through the abnormal connection. Symptoms often appear in the newborn period or early infancy, though milder forms may not be detected until later in childhood. Babies may have trouble breathing, recurrent pneumonia, or persistent cough. Some children may fail to gain weight properly because of feeding difficulties. Treatment is almost always surgical. The goal of surgery is to remove the abnormal lung tissue and close the connection to the digestive tract. When diagnosed and treated early, outcomes are generally good. The condition is sometimes grouped with other bronchopulmonary-foregut malformations such as bronchogenic cysts, pulmonary sequestrations, and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations. Other names include communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation or bronchopulmonary-foregut communication.
Key symptoms:
Repeated lung infections or pneumoniaDifficulty breathing or respiratory distressPersistent coughChoking or coughing during feedingPoor weight gain or failure to thriveWheezingFever from lung infectionsSpitting up or vomitingBluish skin color from low oxygenChest pain or discomfort in older childrenAbnormal sounds heard in the chest
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation
No recent news articles for Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What type of connection exists between my child's lung and digestive tract, and how severe is it?,When is the best time to perform surgery, and what surgical approach will be used?,What are the risks of surgery, and what is the expected recovery time?,Are there any other birth defects or conditions we should screen for?,What signs of complications should I watch for before and after surgery?,What kind of long-term follow-up will my child need after surgery?,Will my child have normal lung function and be able to participate in sports and physical activities?
Common questions about Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation
What is Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation?
Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation is a very rare birth defect in which abnormal lung tissue or a cystic mass in the chest has an open connection (communication) with part of the digestive tract, most commonly the esophagus or stomach. During early development in the womb, the lungs and the digestive tube (foregut) develop from the same tissue. In this condition, something goes wrong during that separation, leaving a persistent channel between the airway or lung tissue and the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to repeated lung infections, breathing difficulties,
How is Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation inherited?
Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation typically begin?
Typical onset of Communicating congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.