[Exogenous allergic alveolitis during childhood (author's transl)]

Four children aged 31/2 to 13 years, who developed allergic alveolitis as a result of antigenic exposure in a domestic situation are described. The clinical symptoms consisted of gradual onset of increasing dyspnoea, chronic cough and weight loss. Lung function tests showed characteristic reduction in vital and diffusion capacity. Serologically, antibodies against animal antigens were demonstrated in all patients. Radiologically there were pronounced reticular changes in both lungs affecting mostly the middle and lower zones. Occasionally there were miliary and sometimes confluent shadows. In differential diagnosis, virus infections, pneumocystis carinii, fungus infections, dermatomyositis, sarcoidosis and tuberculosis had to be considered. Apart from a short course of steroid treatment, it is necessary to make certain that the children are no longer exposed to the causal antigen. Under these conditions the prognosis is good, but otherwise the disease, as in adults who are continuously exposed to the antigen, results in pulmonary fibrosis.