People with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are at a higher risk for severe disease. The incidence is 2 out of 1,000 people. Emphysema in children is caused by congenital abnormalities of the lung and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. There may be signs of chronic sleep deprivation, or signs of chronically insufficient oxygen levels in the blood. Antibiotics are prescribed when respiratory infections occur.
Many people use low-flow oxygen at home.
Avoidance of air pollution and smoking is important. An experimental surgery, called lung reduction, is currently being used to treat some patients with severe emphysema. Lung reduction surgery removes the damaged portions of the lung, thus allowing the normal portions of the lung to expand more fully and take advantage of increased areation. The outcome is usually better for those who quit smoking early. If you have emphysema, call your health care provider if breathing difficulty is increased or other new symptoms develop.