[Pulmonary hemosiderosis and gastroesophageal reflux in an infant].

Pulmonary hemosiderosis (PH) has been described in association with a variety of immunological and non-immunological diseases. It is characterised by iron-deficiency anaemia, hemoptysis and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates based on recurrent intraalveolar hemorrhages. We present the case of a child with pulmonary hemosiderosis and a pathological gastroesophageal reflux activity. The child suffered from recurrent anaemic episodes the age of three months (hemoglobin level up to 5.4 g/dl). The symptoms decreased after removal of the gastroesophageal reflux and accompanying steroid therapy. There has been one relapse of pulmonary hemorrhage seven months later (hemoglobin level 6.1 g/dl). Since then the patient has been in good general condition and the steroid was slowly reduced. No more anaemic episodes occurred. We discuss a possible association of pathological gastroesophageal reflux activity in pulmonary hemosiderosis.