PULMONARY ALVEOLAR PROTEINOSIS IN THREE INFANTS

Abstract

Chronic lung disease in children may present a perplexing diagnostic problem. While open lung biopsy usually will provide a diagnosis without excessive morbidity, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis can be diagnosed radiographically, and can occur at an early age. The clinical course of 3 infants is described together with the necropsy findings. Two 3-month-old and 1 23-month-old infants are reported. The radiographic appearance of diffuse alveolar consolidation and the progressive respiratory involvement should alert physicians to the true nature of this disease. Recovery is reported in adults, but results of treatment in infants is disappointing.