CPAM Treatment in Malaysia
Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation (CPAM) is a rare condition where abnormal lung tissue develops before birth. Some children may have breathing problems or repeated chest infections, while others may have no symptoms.
At KidsLaparoscopy, Dr Nada Sudhakaran provides specialist paediatric surgical assessment for children with congenital lung conditions. After reviewing your child’s symptoms, scans and overall health, the most suitable treatment approach can be discussed.
What Is CPAM?
CPAM, or Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation, is a developmental condition affecting the lungs. It occurs when part of the lung develops abnormally before birth. CPAM can vary in size and location, and its effects can be different from one child to another. Some cases are identified during pregnancy, while others are discovered after birth when a child develops respiratory symptoms or has imaging for another reason.A specialist assessment helps determine the nature of the lung abnormality and whether monitoring or treatment is appropriate.
What Are the Signs of CPAM?
The symptoms of CPAM can vary depending on the size and location of the abnormal lung tissue. Some babies may develop breathing difficulties soon after birth. Older children may experience repeated chest infections, persistent cough or other respiratory symptoms. In some cases, CPAM may not cause noticeable symptoms and may be discovered through an antenatal scan or later imaging.If your child has been diagnosed with CPAM, a paediatric surgeon can review the available scans and explain the possible management options.
How Is CPAM Diagnosed?
CPAM may be suspected during pregnancy through an ultrasound scan. After birth, further imaging may be recommended to understand the lung anatomy and plan appropriate care.
Depending on the child’s condition, investigations may include chest X-rays, CT scans or other imaging studies. The paediatric surgeon will review the child’s medical history and investigation results before discussing treatment options.
CPAM Treatment for Children
Treatment for CPAM depends on several factors, including the child’s symptoms, age, lesion size and location, imaging findings and overall health. Some children may be monitored when appropriate, while surgery may be recommended in other cases. When surgical removal of the affected lung tissue is considered, the surgical approach is selected according to the child’s individual condition.
Thoracoscopic surgery may be considered for selected children with CPAM. This minimally invasive technique uses a camera and specialised instruments through small openings in the chest. However, it is not suitable for every child, and the final approach is determined after specialist assessment.
Thoracoscopic Surgery for CPAM
Thoracoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery of the chest, allows the surgeon to access selected areas of the lung through small incisions. For suitable CPAM cases requiring surgery, thoracoscopic lung resection is an established minimally invasive approach in paediatric surgery. The exact operation depends on the location and extent of the abnormal lung tissue and the child’s clinical condition. The decision to use thoracoscopy is made individually. Open surgery may be more appropriate in some cases, particularly when the anatomy or complexity of the condition makes a minimally invasive approach unsuitable.
Why Choose Specialist Paediatric Surgical Care?
Children have different anatomical and physiological needs from adults. Congenital lung conditions such as CPAM therefore require careful assessment by a specialist familiar with paediatric surgical conditions.
Dr Nada Sudhakaran is a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon & Urologist based in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. His practice includes selected thoracic conditions and minimally invasive procedures for children. He is on the specialist register for Paediatric Surgery in the UK, Malaysia and Australia. At KidsLaparoscopy, parents can discuss their child’s diagnosis, imaging results and available treatment options during a specialist consultation.
CPAM Consultation in Kuala Lumpur
During the consultation, Dr Nada will review your child’s medical history, symptoms, previous investigations and available imaging.
The findings will help determine whether your child needs continued observation, further investigation or surgical treatment. If surgery is recommended, the proposed procedure, surgical approach, possible risks and expected follow-up can be discussed with you.
Choosing a treatment approach is an individual decision, and parents will have the opportunity to ask questions and understand the available options.
Frequently Asked Questions
CPAM stands for Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation. It is a congenital lung condition where part of the lung develops abnormally before birth.
Yes. CPAM develops during pregnancy, although it may not always cause symptoms immediately after birth. Some cases are detected during antenatal scans, while others are discovered later.
Symptoms can include breathing difficulties, persistent cough or repeated chest infections. Some children may have no noticeable symptoms and may be diagnosed through imaging.
Yes. Some cases of CPAM can be identified during pregnancy through antenatal ultrasound. Further assessment after birth may be recommended to understand the condition more clearly.
No. Treatment depends on the child's individual condition. Some children may be monitored, while surgery may be recommended for others based on symptoms, imaging findings and other clinical factors.
Book A Consultation With Dr Nada Today
Discuss Your Child’s CPAM And The Most Suitable Treatment Approach.