Background Respiratory infection is a common trigger for the
episode of alveolar hemorrhage in the pediatric diffuse alveolar
hemorrahge (DAH). Whereas, a futher detailed study hasn’t been
conducted. The aim of this study was to explore the etiological
spectrum, clinical features, treatment strategies and outcomes of the
respiratory infection induced episode of alveolar hemorrhage (RIIEAH) in
the pediatric DAH. Methods The cases of pediatric DAH who had
RIIEAH and a definite etiological diagnosis were included. A
retrospective study was conducted. Results 1. A total of 16
cases with 21 RIIEAHs were included. Twelve RIIEAHs occurred at the
unstable stage, 6 RIIEAHs occurred at the stable stage and 3 RIIEAHs
occurred at the end stage. All the RIIEAHs with respiratory failure
(n=5) and requirment of invasive mechanical ventilation (n=3) occurred
at the unstable or end stage. 2. In the majority of the RIIEAHs (n=19),
etiological diagnosis was identified by detecting the nucleic acid of
the pathogens. Of these, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was the most
commonly used specimen in 12 RIIEAHs. The majority of the RIIEAHs (n=19)
were caused by a single pathogen including mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) in
7 RIIEAHs, coronavirus (CoV) in 3 RIIEAHs, haemophilus influenzae (Hi)
in 3 RIIEAHs, chlamydia pneumoniae in 2 RIIEAHs, human metapneumovirus
in 2 RIIEAHs, acinetobacter baumannii in 1 RIIEAH and pueumocystis
carinii in 1 RIIEAH. The rest 2 RIIEAHs were caused by the mixed
pathogens including klebsiella pneumoniae and streptococcus pneumoniae
in 1 RIIEAH, rhinovirus and CoV in 1 RIIEAH. 3. The majority of the
RIIEAHs (n=19) presented with prodromal symptoms and most of them (n=15)
occurred within 3 days from the prodromal symptoms. Either worsening
anemia or hemoptysis was found in 13 RIIEAHs and dyspnea was found in 9
RIIEAHs. All the 12 RIIEAHs in which bronchosopy had been performed
presented with bleeding on bronchoscopy. 4. An intensive glucocorticoid
therapy was administrated in the 19 RIIEAHs and a targeted
anti-infection treatment was administrated in the 11 RIIEAHs. The
majority of the RIIEAHs (n=19) resolved, whereas there was 1 case death.
Conclusions 1. RIIEAH could be caused by a varity of pathogens
and could occur at any disease stage of pediatric DAH. 2. It usually
occurred at the early stage of respiratory infection and presented with
worsening anemia or hemoptysis. 3. Bronchoscopy had a good diagnostic
value for RIIEAH and idenifying the etiology. 4. An intensive
glucocorticoid therapy seemed to be effective and necessary.