Risk factors for recurrent pulmonary exacerbation in idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis

Objectives To evaluate the risk factors of recurrent pulmonary exacerbation and poor prognosis in children with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH). Methods In this multicenter study, 54 patients with a diagnosis of IPH were included. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed from three tertiary care hospitals between 1979 and 2019. Also, current information and the long‐term progress of patients was determined by contacting the families by telephone. Results A total of 54 children were included. The median age of onset of symptoms was 4.5 years (3 months to 15.8 years). The median time from onset to diagnosis was 0.9 years (0.25 months to 12 years). The mean number of recurrent episodes per child in the recurrence‐positive group was 3.55 (1–15). Univariate analysis demonstrated that patients presenting with hypoxia or requiring transfusion at the time of presentation had significantly more recurrence episodes (p = .002). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of hypoxia at the time of initial presentation was a significant independent predictor of recurrent episodes (p = .027). The median follow‐up was 3.3 years (0.75 months to 27 years). There was a significant relationship between the presence of hypoxia, transfusion history, antinuclear antibody positivity, and elevated transaminases at the time of initial evaluation and treatment response. Conclusions The present study provides substantial information regarding factors that may affect recurrent exacerbations and prognosis in children with IPH. Demonstrating hypoxia as an independent risk factor in recurrence episodes could guide physicians in the planning of treatment strategies.