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Living with Pulmonary agenesis

A rare condition present from birth in which the lungs are missing or underdeveloped to varying degrees.

Understanding Pulmonary agenesis

Pulmonary agenesis is an uncommon condition present from birth in which the lungs are absent or underdeveloped.

The lung tissue can be underdeveloped to different degrees. It may occur along with other differences present at birth.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. The summary describes this feature:

  • Lungs that are missing or underdeveloped
  • Other differences present at birth in some people

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists and lung and breathing specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Genetic specialists (geneticists); Lung and breathing specialists (pulmonologists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How much lung tissue is developed in my child's case?
Which other body systems should be checked?
Which specialists should be on our care team?

Quick facts

GARD says gene changes cause this condition. It doesn't name a gene or describe inheritance yet.

GeneticRespiratory

Also known as: agenesis of lung; aplasia of lung; apulmonism; congenital absence of lung; congenital aplasia of lung

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Pulmonary agenesisGARD ID 9119 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Pulmonary agenesis.

Explore the Pulmonary agenesis blog

Explore research for Pulmonary agenesis

Explore actively recruiting Pulmonary agenesis studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Pulmonary agenesis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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I can help you find recruiting Pulmonary agenesis studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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