J Korean Pediatr Soc.  2001 Sep;44(9):1085-1090.

A Case of Chronic Pneumonitis of Infancy in Pediatric Interstitial Lung Disease

• Jang HO
• Ham SC
• Kim YK
• Oh SW
• Park YW

Abstract

The interstitial lung diseases(ILD) comprises a large, heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by derangement of alveolar walls and alveolar capillary unit causing restrictive pulmonary dysfunction and disordered gas exchange. It is rare, especially in children, and the opinions on investigation and treatments are controversial. The classification of adult ILD is applied to that of children. But considering occurrence during the developing state of lung and immune systems, we should be more cautious because the clinical manifestations and prognosis will be different from those of adults. In 1995, Katzenstein named a unique type of ILD, chronic pneumonitis of infancy (CPI) for the first time. CPI is characterized by marked alveolar septal thickening, striking type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, and eosinophilic alveolar exudate containing numerous macrophages. We report a 14 month-old girl, who had continuing respiratory difficulty and cyanosis after upper respiratory infection, could not sustain oxygen saturation and was finally diagnosed as CPI by histologic examination.

Keyword

Interstitial lung disease; Chronic pneumonitis of infancy; Children

MeSH Terms

Adult
Capillaries
Child
Classification
Cyanosis
Eosinophils
Exudates and Transudates
Female
Humans
Hyperplasia
Immune System
Infant
Lung
Lung Diseases, Interstitial*
Macrophages
Oxygen
Pneumocytes
Pneumonia*
Prognosis
Strikes, Employee
Oxygen