[Electron microscopy studies of cilia of the bronchial tree in children with chronic bronchopulmonary diseases].

The results of an ultrastructural analysis of cilia in 30 children at the age of 11 month to 16 years are presented. Children with marked symptoms of chronic bronchitis were consciously chosen for examination. One group of 15 children was suffering from chronic bronchitis with bronchiectases. No bronchiectasis was found in the second group of 15 children with chronic bronchitis. Specific changes were more evident in the first group, whereas nonspecific changes were of equal frequency in both groups. Only in 3 patients of group I generalized specific defects could be demonstrated. In these cases mucociliary clearance was nearly not present. Ultrastructural changes of cilia in children with chronic nonspecific lung diseases enclose a wide spectrum. Compared to it generalized structural defects are rare and only in 3 cases of our study demonstrable (negative selection of a bronchological centre).