Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Acute interstitial pneumonia in siblings: a case report
Seung Yeon Kwon1, Jong Min Kim, Myung Hyun Sohn
1Department of Pediatrics and Institution of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) is a rare, rapidly progressive lung disease. This case highlights a familial occurrence of AIP in a young girl and her siblings, suggesting a potential genetic link.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Pathology
Background:
- Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) is a severe lung disease characterized by diffuse alveolar damage.
- AIP is typically idiopathic and rare in pediatric populations, with limited documented cases.
- Histologic findings include diffuse alveolar damage and fibroblast proliferation.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old girl presented with symptoms consistent with AIP.
- Her autopsy confirmed diffuse alveolar damage and fibroblast proliferation.
- Her siblings, a 3-year-old brother and an 8-year-old sister, exhibited similar radiologic findings suggestive of AIP.
Findings:
- The case confirms AIP in a pediatric patient via autopsy.
- Radiologic findings in siblings suggest a familial predisposition or genetic link to AIP.
- This familial cluster is highly unusual for AIP.
Implications:
- This case underscores the possibility of familial AIP, prompting further investigation into genetic factors.
- Early recognition and diagnosis of AIP in children are crucial for potential management strategies.
- Further research is needed to explore the genetic basis and familial transmission patterns of AIP.
Abstract:
Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) is a rapidly progressive condition of unknown cause that occurs in a previously healthy individual and produces the histologic findings of diffuse alveolar damage. Since the term AIP was first introduced in 1986, there have been very few case reports of AIP in children. Here we present a case of AIP in a 3-yr-old girl whose other two siblings showed similar radiologic findings. The patient was confirmed to have AIP from autopsy showing histological findings of diffuse alveolar damage and proliferation of fibroblasts. Her 3-yr-old brother was also clinically and radiologically highly suspected as having AIP, and the other asymptomatic 8-yr-old sister was radiologically suspected as having AIP.
Related Concept Videos
Atypical Pneumonia
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
