[Reference values of hemosiderin-laden alveolar macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage in children]

Pulmonary haemosiderosis is a rare disease of unknown etiology, mainly affecting children and adolescents. Pulmonary haemosiderosis may occur in association with several respiratory or other disease (Lupus erythematosus, Goodpastures syndrome). Delay in diagnosing can lead to fatal complications. BAL appears to be the method of choice to detect haemosiderin-laden macrophages. No reference values are available for children to date. 64 bronchoalveolar lavages were performed to establish reference values of haemosiderin-laden macrophages in children. Less haemosiderin was found in children compared to adults, and hence a new haemosiderin score was established for paediatric patients. Compared to healthy children, no elevated haemosiderine levels were found in children with chronic pulmonary disease such as bronchiectasis or chronic aspiration caused by gastro-oesophageal reflux. Therefore even a mildly increased amount of haemosiderin-laden macrophages in children requires medical attention.