[Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in children]

When to panic about a panic attack: A challenging case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis

The COVID-19 pandemic has created diagnostic difficulties with the increase in mental health illnesses that often present with nonspecific symptoms, like hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a complex syndrome of varying triggers, onset, severity, and clinical manifestations that can be challenging to diagnose in many cases. Typical symptoms are nonspecific and can be attributed to other entities. There are no pediatric guidelines, which contributes to diagnostic difficulties and delays in treatment. It is particularly important to avoid diagnostic biases, have an index of suspicion for hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and to develop pediatric guidelines as outcomes are excellent when diagnosed and treated promptly. This article discusses hypersensitivity pneumonitis with a focus on the causes, pathogenesis, diagnostic approach, outcomes, and prognosis while using a case to illustrate the diagnostic difficulties worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spectrum of childhood interstitial and diffuse lung diseases at a tertiary hospital in Egypt

Background

Childhood interstitial and diffuse lung diseases (chILD) encompass a broad spectrum of rare pulmonary disorders. In most developing Middle Eastern countries, chILD is still underdiagnosed. Our objective was to describe and investigate patients diagnosed with chILD in a tertiary university hospital in Egypt.

Methods

We analysed data of consecutive subjects (aged <18 years) referred for further evaluation at the Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University (Cairo, Egypt). Diagnosis of chILD was made in accordance with the ChILD-EU criteria. The following information was obtained: demographic data, clinical characteristics, chest computed tomography findings, laboratory studies, spirometry, bronchoalveolar lavage and histopathology findings.

Results

22 subjects were enrolled over 24 months. Median age at diagnosis was 7 years (range 3.5–14 years). The most common manifestations were dyspnoea (100%), cough (90.9%), clubbing (95.5%) and tachypnoea (90.9%). Systematic evaluation led to the following diagnoses: hypersensitivity pneumonitis (n=3), idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (n=4), chILD related to chronic granulomatous disease (n=3), chILD related to small airways disease (n=3), post-infectious chILD (n=2), Langerhans cell histiocytosis (n=2), idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis (n=2), granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (n=1), systemic sclerosis (n=1) and familial interstitial lung disease (n=1). Among the subjects who completed the diagnostic evaluation (n=19), treatment was changed in 13 (68.4%) subjects.

Conclusion

Systematic evaluation and multidisciplinary peer review of chILD patients at our tertiary hospital led to changes in management in 68% of the patients. This study highlights the need for an Egyptian chILD network with genetic testing, as well as the value of collaborating with international groups in improving healthcare for children with chILD.

In Egypt, childhood interstitial and diffuse lung diseases (chILD) are still underdiagnosed. Establishment of an Egyptian chILD network with genetic testing is essential to improve healthcare for children diagnosed with chILD.https://bit.ly/385qKsU

[Bird fancier's disease in a child: about a rare and unusual case]

La pathologie du poumon des éleveurs d´oiseaux fait partie des pneumopathies d´hypersensibilité, elle est secondaire à une réaction immuno-allergique aux antigènes aviaires. Cette entité demeure rare chez l´enfant. Elle constitue les deux tiers des pneumopathies d´hypersensibilité. Le diagnostic de cette maladie n´est pas si aisé. Il repose sur un faisceau d´arguments. Nous rapportons une observation singulière d´une fille de 7 ans, ayant comme antécédent un terrain d´atopie familiale, traitée initialement comme asthme devant des épisodes de dyspnée sifflante et une toux sans amélioration. La symptomatologie s´est aggravée par l´installation d´une dyspnée au repos, compliquée d´une détresse respiratoire cyanosante dans un contexte d´altération de l´état général. L´examen clinique a retrouvé un enfant ayant un retard pondéral, une cyanose péribuccale avec un hippocratisme digital. L´auscultation pulmonaire a objectivé des râles crépitants bilatéraux. La radiographie du thorax a mis en évidence un syndrome interstitiel bilatéral. La tomodensitométrie (TDM) thoracique a montré un aspect en verre dépoli diffus. Le bilan biologique a révélé une hyperéosinophilie avec une hyper-IgE, et a écarté une tuberculose, une mucoviscidose, un déficit immunitaire. La reprise de l´interrogatoire a montré un contact avec les oiseaux. Les sérologies de la maladie du poumon des éleveurs d´oiseaux étaient positives. La patiente est mise sous corticothérapie inhalée avec éviction de l´expositions aux oiseaux. Après un recul de 2 mois, l´évolution était favorable. Etant donné que les signes de la maladie du poumon des éleveurs d´oiseaux sont non spécifiques, elle doit être évoquée devant toute symptomatologie respiratoire avec la notion de contact aux antigènes aviaires.