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Early therapy with corticosteroid and surfactant for acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants: Two case
Yuiko Sato1, Mitsutaka Shiota, Kouta Sasaki
1Department of Pediatrics, Kitano Hospital, Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Osaka, Japan.
Insights
Acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage (AIPH) in infants is rare. Early corticosteroid therapy and surfactant improved outcomes in two infant cases, suggesting a potential treatment protocol for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Neonatal Critical Care
- Rare Disease Research
Background:
- Acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage (AIPH) in infants lacks established treatment guidelines.
- AIPH is a rare but serious condition requiring prompt medical intervention.
Observation:
- Two infants presented with epistaxis and respiratory distress, diagnosed with AIPH via imaging.
- Initial management included intubation and mechanical ventilation due to bloody airways.
Findings:
- Intravenous methylprednisolone rapidly improved oxygenation and reduced ventilation pressures.
- One infant showed significant improvement with intratracheal surfactant, while the other did not.
Implications:
- Corticosteroids and surfactant may be beneficial in managing severe infant AIPH.
- Further research is warranted to establish definitive treatment protocols for AIPH.
Rationale:
Acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage (AIPH) in infants is a rare condition, and a clear treatment protocol has not yet been established.
Patient Concerns:
We report 2 infant cases of AIPH in a 3-month-old male and a 1-month-old female, who presented at an emergency room with epistaxis and respiratory distress. Both were immediately intubated, which revealed a bloody intratracheal aspirate.
Diagnosis:
Pulmonary hemorrhage was confirmed by X-ray and computed tomography imaging in both cases. The extensive evaluation revealed no specific etiology for the acute pulmonary hemorrhage, and AIPH was therefore diagnosed in both cases.
Interventions:
Intravenous methylprednisolone resulted in a rapid improvement in oxygenation and a reduction in high airway pressure during mechanical ventilation. Methylprednisolone was subsequently tapered off within 13 and 3 days in cases 1 and 2, respectively. In case 1, intratracheal administration of a surfactant also resulted in an immediate improvement in respiratory condition and the patient was extubated after 2 days; no effect was seen in case 2, and the patient was extubated after 10 days.
Outcome:
Both infants recovered well without sequelae or further relapse after 23 and 71 months of follow-up, respectively.
Lessons:
Early administration of corticosteroid therapy and intratracheal administration of diluted surfactant should be considered for severe acute pulmonary hemorrhage in infants.
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