LAUSR

Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLDs) in children or childhood interstitial lung disease (CHILD), as they are widely known, encompass a heterogeneous group of rare diffuse lung diseases characterized by abnormal imaging findings, restrictive ventilation, and impaired gas exchange, associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. A novel classification scheme has been proposed by the CHILD Research Cooperative, which is largely based on the presumed etiology and morphology of the diseases. The latter are categorized according to prevalence in infancy. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory for the diagnosis and management, with imagingdespecially computed tomography (CT)dplaying a pivotal role in suggesting or even corroborating a diagnosis, refining the differential diagnosis, identifying possible biopsy sites, monitoring disease activity, and assessing response to therapy. In this pictorial essay, we attempted a short and comprehensive review of CHILD syndrome while highlighting the role of imaging through illustrative cases of the main entities.