Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation (CCAM/CPAM)

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, often called CCAM or CPAM, is a condition that affects how a baby’s lungs develop. Some babies have no symptoms, but others can have serious breathing or heart problems.

At the University of Chicago Medicine Fetal and Neonatal Care Center (FNCC), you have access to expert care before, during and after your baby’s birth. Our team has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating CCAM.

Sometimes, the lung mass may shrink. Other times, it can get bigger and cause more health problems. Early checks and close monitoring help us give the best care possible.

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Treatment Before Birth: How a Shunt Can Help

We may use a shunt (small tube) before birth to lower risks from:

• Large or growing lung masses
• Fluid around the lungs (isolated pleural effusion)

In some cases, a shunt can:

• Reduce pressure on the lungs and heart
• Lower the risk of severe swelling (hydrops)
• Improve lung growth and blood flow
• Reduce the chance of an early birth and breathing problems after delivery
• Improve the baby's overall health

When is treatment during pregnancy a good idea?

Treatment may be needed if the lung mass is:

• Large or growing quickly
• Moving or pressing against the heart
• Causing severe swelling (hydrops) or increased fluid

Our team meets to make sure every decision is safe for both you and your baby.

What is the evaluation and treatment process like?

First visit:

• We use scans that are safe during pregnancy, like ultrasound and MRI.
• Our team performs tests, like amniocentesis or thoracocentesis, to check for health problems.

Second visit:

• You will check in at the Family Birth Center - Hyde Park for the shunt procedure.
• Your team will give you medicine to keep you asleep during the procedure and numb the area.
• We will give your baby medicine to help keep them still and safe during the surgery.
• Using ultrasound, we will carefully place the shunt.
• After the procedure, you will stay in the hospital for 24 hours so we can watch you and your baby closely.
• We will give you medicine to prevent infection and stop contractions.

After the shunt is in place, we watch your baby closely with weekly ultrasounds. You will deliver at our Family Birth Center - Hyde Park, where our surgery and neonatology teams will be ready to provide expert care to your baby right away.

Want to talk to our team about CCAM/CPAM?

We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. This allows our team to begin the evaluation and care process right away.

Call us at 773-702-6118 to learn more.