Abstract
Pulmonary hemosiderosis is an uncommon disorder in pediatric population in developing countries. It may affect the lung in an isolated form of Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis (IPH) or as a manifestation of systemic disorders. The present patient belonging to Mongolian race presented with history of fever, cough, respiratory distress and previous episode of hemoptysis. The child had anemia, negative tuberculin test and no acid-fast bacilli in sputum and presence of bilateral pulmonary infiltrates in X-ray chest. Sputum examination showed iron-laden macrophages and no secondary cause could be ascertained. The patient responded well to prednisolone treatment alone. Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis can be diagnosed based on the clinical features and sputum examination. Lung biopsy and high resolution CT thorax may not be undertaken in setting where facilities are not available.
Highlights
IntroductionVirchow first described Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis (IPH) in 1864 as “brown” lung indurations [1]
Virchow first described Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis (IPH) in 1864 as “brown” lung indurations [1]. It is a disorder of unknown etiology that is characterized by recurrent or chronic hemorrhage in the alveoli and accumulation of hemosiderin pigment in the lungs
It manifests as a triad of hemoptysis, iron deficiency anemia and diffuse parenchymal infiltrates in chest radiograph [2]
Summary
Virchow first described Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis (IPH) in 1864 as “brown” lung indurations [1]. Diagnosis is usually based on sputum examination, lung biopsy and high resolution CT thorax. Various immunosuppressive drugs such as prednisolone [3], hydroxychloroquine [4] and cycophosphamide [5] have been tried to improve the survival of these patients. The child had an episode of hemoptysis and blood transfusion in the past On examination, she was conscious, oriented but tachypneic. As this child had history of hemoptysis, anemia, infiltrates in the chest, and positive sputum for hemosiderin pigment, the diagnosis of pulmonary hemosiderosis was made. Anemia was corrected and patient did not have further episode of respiratory distress and hemoptysis
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