Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis: a rare cause of iron-deficiency anemia in childhood

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2011 May;33(4):e160-2. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e318212a6df.

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis is a chronic, rare disorder confined to the lung, which is commonly characterized by the triad of recurrent hemoptysis, diffuse parenchyma infiltrates on chest radiography, and iron-deficiency anemia. Diagnosis may be difficult and the clinical course may be widely variable. Here, we describe an 8-year-old boy whose isolated symptom on presentation was iron-deficiency anemia. Presence of hemoptysis and bilateral alveolar infiltrates on chest x-ray led to the diagnosis of pulmonary hemosiderosis, subsequently confirmed by the finding of hemosiderin-laden macrophages by bronchoalveolar lavage. The patient was started on prednisolone 2 mg/kg/d and no further bleeding episodes were noted after the onset of therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / diagnosis*
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / etiology*
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Hemoptysis / diagnosis
  • Hemoptysis / etiology
  • Hemosiderosis / complications*
  • Hemosiderosis / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / etiology
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / etiology