Can a pediatric bone marrow or stem cell transplant cause lung and breathing problems?
Studies have shown that even if a child doesn’t have any respiratory symptoms, there may be significant impairment of lung function after a transplant. The risk varies depending on the type of conditioning regimen and other factors. Total body irradiation and certain medications may increase the risk of lung problems. Development of chronic graft-vs.-host disease also increases the risk of lung problems. Pediatric transplant patients over the age of six years should have lung function tested each year as part of their routine follow-up care. For research on lung function after a pediatric transplant, see the article Pulmonary function in long-term survivors of pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation.
