Open AccessPediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Related to E-cigarette Vaping
Author(s) -
Binh Phung,
Anh N Lam
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of pediatric intensive care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2146-4618
pISSN - 2146-4626
DOI - 10.1055/s-0039-3400961
Subject(s) - medicine , hypersensitivity pneumonitis , bronchoalveolar lavage , respiratory distress , lymphocytosis , chest radiograph , acute respiratory distress , etiology , eosinophilia , pediatrics , anesthesia , lung
In recent years, electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have been falsely advertised as safe alternatives to conventional smoking. We report a case involving a 16-year-old female who presented with fever, nonproductive cough, and shortness of breath after vaping e-cig/tetrahydrocannabinol dab pen. Her symptoms rapidly deteriorated and met diagnostic criteria for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Chest radiograph revealed extensive patchy airspace disease and computed tomography scan showed bilateral ground glass opacities. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed increased neutrophils, lymphocytosis, but absent eosinophilia. After the results of a comprehensive workup for infectious etiology returned negative, she was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and started on systemic corticosteroids.