All issues > Volume 28(7); 1985

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1985;28(7):663-673. Published online July 31, 1985.

Clinical Studies on Interstitial Pneumonitis in Children.

Young Yull Ko¹, Kwang Wook Ko¹, Jw Geun Chi²

¹Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul,Korea
²Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul,Korea

Abstract

Interstitial pneumonitis is a rare, diffuse lung disease characterized by varing combinations of two histological features: thickening of alveolar walls and the presence of large mononuclear cells in the alveolar spaces. 4 cases with interstitial pneumonitis, admitted to the Pediatric Department of Seoul National University Hospital during the period from Jan. 1979 through. May, 1985 were reviewed clinically. The results were summarized as follows: 1)The main symptoms in children were tachypnea or dyspnea, cough, sometimes productive, clubbing and cyanosis. 2)Immunoglobulin assay results in serum revealed elevated concentrations, which suggests that B lymphocytes may actively secrete immunoglobulins, partly responsible of its pathogenesis. 3)Chest X-ray showed nodular, reticular, or reticulonodular pattern, generalized in most cases. The pattern was not correlated well with the duration of symptoms. 4)Arterial blood gas analysis discolsed decreased resting arterial oxygen tension in all cases, which was aggravated by exercise. 5)Pulmonary function tests were performed in 2 cases, which, showed restrictive pattern in one case, and moderately obstructive pattern in the other case, which was combined with bronchiolitis. 6)Histopathologic studies in lung biopsy specimens showed alveolitis and interstitial fibrosis in varing combinations. 'Desquamation’ in alveolar spaces appeared in all cases.

Keywords :Interstitial pneumo