Idiopathic Pulmonary hemosiderosis: A Study of two cases

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis (IPH) is a rare disease in child of unknown etiopathogeny. Case report 1: We describe the case of 12 years-old boy presenting dyspnea, severe anemia and alveolar haemorrhage. Diagnosis of IPH was made. Antigliadin, antiendomisium and anti-transglutaminase antibodies were positive. Duodenal biopsy revealed villous atrophy consistent with the diagnosis of celiac disease. The patient has been asymptomatic for two years on gluten-free diet. Case report 2: A 2 years-old girl was admitted for adult respiratory distress syndrome associated to hypochromic anemia. The diagnosis of IPH was confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage. She develops cortico dependence indicating association of azathioprine. Conclusions: Patients with IPH must be systematically checked for celiac disease, because gluten-free diet could lead to better prognosis of pulmonary symptoms.