Legionella pneumophila Pneumonia in Two Infants Treated with Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Yael Shachor-Meyouhas1, Sarit Ravid2, Suheir Hanna3

  • 1Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.

Insights

Adrenocorticotropic hormone treatment for infantile spasms may increase the risk of Legionella pneumonia in infants. This rare pneumonia complication was observed in two infants shortly after initiating this epilepsy treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Infantile spasms are a severe epileptic disorder in infants.
  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a common treatment for infantile spasms.
  • Legionella pneumophila is an uncommon cause of pneumonia in pediatric patients.

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