Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in three infants

Chronic lung disease in children may present a perplexing diagnostic problem. While open lung biopsy usually will provide a diagnosis without excessive morbidity, we believe that pulmonary alveolar proteinosis can be diagnosed radiographically, and we wish to point out the early age at which this disease can occur. The clinical course of three infants is described together with the necropsy findings. Two 3-month-old and one 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.