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Farmer's lung in early childhood
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|April 1, 1979
Summary
A pediatric case of farmer's lung disease in a 5-year-old is presented. Early diagnosis and treatment with corticosteroids and allergen avoidance led to rapid recovery from severe respiratory failure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Environmental Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Farmer's lung disease is a hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
- It is caused by inhaling thermophilic actinomycetes, commonly Micropolyspora faeni.
- Diagnosis in children is rare, presenting diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 5-year-old child presented with flulike symptoms progressing to severe respiratory failure over 3 months.
- Clinical signs included fatigue, weight loss, fever, cough, rales, and clubbing.
- Radiographic findings showed a ground-glass appearance with air bronchograms.
Findings:
- Serologic tests confirmed precipitins to Micropolyspora faeni.
- Open lung biopsy revealed alveolitis with interstitial granulomas and parenchymal obliteration.
- The patient experienced rapid improvement with prednisone and allergen avoidance.
Implications:
- This case highlights the possibility of farmer's lung disease in children presenting with respiratory failure.
- Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
- Environmental allergen avoidance is a key component of treatment.