Goodpasture's syndrome in childhood: treatment with plasmapheresis and immunosuppression

Goodpasture's syndrome rarely affects children. Therefore, we present our experience in a young boy whose pulmonary hemorrhage was dramatically resolved by three plasma exchanges. We believe the hemorrhage was caused primarily by acute capillaritis. He received cytoxan and steroids and a series of plasma exchanges which removed/suppressed his anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibody production. However, after a year, his renal function did not return, and he required renal transplantation and continues to do well.