Unexplained childhood anaemia: idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis.

K K Siu, Rever Li, S Y Lam

Journal: Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi 2016;21(2):172-4

PMID: 25904566

Free Full Text on Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press View on PubMed

Abstract

This report demonstrates pulmonary haemorrhage as a differential cause of anaemia. Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis is a rare disease in children; it is classically described as a triad of haemoptysis, pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiograph, and iron-deficiency anaemia. However, anaemia may be the only presenting feature of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis in children due to occult pulmonary haemorrhage. In addition, the serum ferritin is falsely high in idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis which increases the diagnostic difficulty. We recommend that pulmonary haemorrhage be suspected in any child presenting with iron-deficiency anaemia and persistent bilateral pulmonary infiltrates.

Address: Department of Paediatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Yaumatei, Hong Kong.; Department of Paediatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong.

DOI: 10.12809/hkmj144237

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http://www.hkmj.org/abstracts/v21n2/172.htm

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https://medlineplus.gov/lungdiseases.html

MeSH Terms: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency, Blood Transfusion, Child, Preschool, Diagnosis, Differential, Ferritins, Hemosiderosis, Hong Kong, Humans, Lung Diseases, Male, Prednisolone, Radiography, Thoracic, Rare Diseases, Risk Assessment, Severity of Illness Index, Hemosiderosis, Pulmonary