[Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome: a case report in an infant].
We report a case of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome in a young child with favorable outcome after treatment with alpha-interferon.


METHODS
A 5-month-old boy presented with major eosinophilia (187 G/l) associated with splenomegaly. There was no evidence for parasitic or allergic disease. Acute leukemia was suspected but bone marrow smear and medullary caryotype were not compatible. Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome was thus diagnosed. Corticotherapy was started and failed. Finally, complete remission was obtained with alpha-interferon treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is uncommon in children. Significant complications like cardiac dysfunction or hematologic malignancies can occur. Treatment has to be quickly started, in order to reduce eosinophilia. Haematological and echocardiographic follow-up are required.
Unité protégée A, hôpital Jeanne-de-Flandre, CHRU de Lille, 2, avenue Oscar-Lambret, 59037 Lille cedex, France. p-leblond@chru-lille.fr
P
P
Leblond
S
S
Lepers
E
E
Thebaud
F
F
Mazingue
A
A
Lambilliotte
M
M
Fournier
B
B
Nelken
D006801:Humans; D017681:Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male