title: Unexplained childhood anaemia: idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis.
abstract: This report demonstrates pulmonary haemorrhage as a differential cause of anaemia. Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis is a rare disease in children; it is classically described as a triad of haemoptysis, pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiograph, and iron-deficiency anaemia. However, anaemia may be the only presenting feature of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis in children due to occult pulmonary haemorrhage. In addition, the serum ferritin is falsely high in idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis which increases the diagnostic difficulty. We recommend that pulmonary haemorrhage be suspected in any child presenting with iron-deficiency anaemia and persistent bilateral pulmonary infiltrates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Yaumatei, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Rever
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005293:Ferritins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006486:Hemosiderosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods; D035583:Rare Diseases; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000097545:Hemosiderosis, Pulmonary
chemical_list: D005293:Ferritins; D011239:Prednisolone
keywords: Anemia; Child; Hemosiderosis