Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis complicating inflammatory bowel disease of childhood

Sulfasalazine has been associated with bronchopulmonary complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in adults. We describe a 12-year-old boy who developed desquamative interstitial pneumonitis and hepatic cirrhosis several years following the onset of ulcerative colitis. The restrictive lung disease progressed despite cessation of sulfasalazine and initiation of corticosteroid therapy. We discuss a variety of bronchopulmonary complications of IBD and their association with sulfasalazine.