ABSTRACT
Background: The traditional medicinal use of different fat based remedies for the relief of various common childhood ailments continues to be a public health problem
Objective: To determine the clinical profile of the patients of lipoid pneumonia in Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan
Patients and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at the department of Pediatrics, Sheikh Zayed Hospital/ Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan. The study period was 02 years, from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2011. All the patients presented to the department during the study period and diagnosed as lipoid pneumonia were included in the study. In all suspected patients of lipoid pneumonia a detailed history focusing mainly on birth history, feeding history including intake of any oil, ghee, butter and complaints of respiratory system was focused. Thorough physical examination particularly of respiratory system and CNS was carried out. Investigations carried out were CBC, Blood C/S, x-ray chest and CT scan chest
Results: During the study period of 02 years, 22 [0.0006%] cases of lipoid pneumonia were diagnosed on clinical and radiological grounds. In all cases birth history was unremarkable and all patients were developmentally normal. Acute presentation with high grade fever, cough and respiratory distress was noted in 05 [22.7%] cases while the onset was insidious with persistent or recurrent respiratory symptoms in 17 [77.2%] cases. The time interval between aspiration and presentation was <24 hours in 01 [4.5%] case, 2-7 days in 04[18.2%] cases and >7 days to months in 17 [77.2%] cases. Daisee Ghee was administered in 16 [73%] cases, Castor Oil in 04 [18%] cases while Gingilli oil and olive oil in 01 [4.5% each] case each
Conclusion: Lipoid pneumonia be considered in the differential diagnosis of all cases of respiratory distress more particularly of chronic/recurrent respiratory symptoms especially if there is suboptimal response to antibiotics. There is need for the anticipatory education of health care professionals, who then can counsel parents and caregivers of young children to avoid oil/ghee administration and hence to avoid this easily preventable but potentially life threatening condition of lipoid pneumonia. Moreover, the involvement of media and other health agencies can also be rewarding