Abstract
Introduction : Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease (DPLD) in children is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by inflammation and/or remodeling of the lung parenchyma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefic effect of azithomycin (AZM) in children with DPLD.
Methods : The study included 8 children with DPLD. Four had a diagnosis of surfactant disorder. The median age at diagnostic was 8 months (1;24). AZM was introduced at a median age of 51.6 months (15;109), at a dose of 20 mg/kg 3 days a week. The median duration of the follow up was 4.5 years (1,5;6,5).
Results : After 1 year of AZM, all the patients had an improvement in their quality of life, a weight gain of 18% (10;34), allowing to stop enteral nutrition in 2 patients. A significant decrease in breath per min (BPM) was documented (34.3 BPM vs 51.7). This was associated with an increase in Pa02 (63,5 mmHg vs 72,6).
Conclusion : AZM had a benefic effect on general condition and respiratory parameters in children with DPLD, after only one year of treatment. Further studies are necessary to confirm these results; early introduction of AZM can be a corticosteroid saver.
- © 2014 ERS