Treating pediatric patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and/or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can require unique treatment considerations and innovations compared with the treatment of adult populations. For example, many pediatric patients with ILD require oxygen support and other (non-invasive and invasive) respiratory support as part of their therapeutic regimen; however, parents have reported the challenge of getting their children, particularly infants and toddlers, to adhere to this treatment due to the attendant discomfort. Similarly, teenage patients can view them as social deterrents that could lead to stigmatization.

The patients and families in this population rely on their care teams for support to navigate these complex diseases. The relative rarity of pediatric patients with ILDs reveals an urgent need for education among pediatric subspecialty providers and primary care physicians about how to diagnose and treat these diseases in collaboration with pediatric pulmonologists.

The ATS 2026 International Conference will host numerous educational sessions in Orlando, Fla., tackling the latest clinical and investigative insights to improve care for pediatric patients living with ILD and IPF.

From 2:15–3:45 p.m. ET on Monday, May 18, the Scientific Symposium, “From Bench to Thriving: Breakthroughs in Childhood Interstitial Lung Diseases,” will provide a series of presentations that highlight recent research findings and connect them with clinical updates in childhood interstitial lung diseases.

“The new American Thoracic Society Child Care Guidelines in children zero to two years old with ILD is coming out in the near future and that work will be presented during this session,” said Alicia Casey, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, as well as co-director of the ILD Program and director of the Fellowship Training Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. “I’m excited about it because there has been enough advancement and new evidence in the field that we felt the consensus guidelines needed to be updated to guide care. Our hope is that having these guidelines will allow us to be more consistent with diagnosis and treatment across the country and help us to advocate for our patients.”

The symposium will also feature the presentation of initial findings from a study of pathologic imaging characteristics of pediatric fibrosis and corresponding potential treatment approaches.

“In adults, the imaging characteristics of IPF are much better defined than in pediatrics,” Dr. Casey explained. “A lot of times, multiple processes lead to the fibrosis, so I think having this information from a multi-center collaboration review of our patients will hopefully help lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of pediatric fibrosis.”

The International Participants’ Center Studio in Hall C (Level II, OCCC West) will host the “Respiratory Society of Americas Session: Interstitial Lung Disease Across the Americas: Adult and Pediatric Perspectives” from 2–4 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 16. This collaborative session, organized by the ATS in partnership with the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS), the Latin American Thoracic Association (ALAT), and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (SBPT), will examine how ILD is diagnosed and managed across the Americas, alternating between pediatric and adult perspectives. Speakers representing each society will highlight regional differences in clinical practice, access to diagnostic tools and therapies, and health system challenges, while identifying shared gaps and opportunities for cross-society collaboration. The session will conclude with a panel discussion exploring common themes, regional inequities, and next steps, including the development of a joint perspective paper to advance ILD care globally.

“I think this session is really important because it emphasizes the focus on health equity, as well as the need for pediatric and adult specialists to work together across the developmental lifespan to improve care for these patients,” Dr. Casey said.

This year’s “Pediatric Year in Review: The Magic Kingdom of Pediatric Pulmonary,” 2:15–3:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 17, will include a presentation on clinical and translational advances on childhood ILDs using recently published data to share timely insights.

Conference attendees invested in this area should also consider joining the wide-ranging Thematic Poster Session, “Childhood Interstitial and Rare Lung Diseases: Peter Pan’s Flight,” from 9:15–4:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 19, in Area L, Halls WA2-WA3 (Level II, OCCC West Concourse). Attendees can examine new data on topics that range from rare lung findings in newborns with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome to severe lipoid pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome following olive oil administration among toddlers to diagnosing sarcoidosis in teenagers who vape, among many other presentations.

For the full listings of ILD- and pediatrics-related educational sessions, scientific symposia, Meet the Expert sessions, and abstract presentations at ATS 2026 Orlando, visit ATSConference365.