Clinical Profile and Outcome of Pediatric Sarcoidosis

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To document clinical features and outcome of children with sarcoidosis.Methods: Case records of 18 children (mean (SD) age 9 (2.2) years) diagnosed withsarcoidosis between 2006 and 2016 were reviewed. All children were followed up every 2-3months and monitored for clinical and laboratory parameters. Their treatment and outcomewere recorded. Results: Clinical features at the time of diagnosis were fever (83%), uveitis(50%), difficulty in breathing (44%), hepatosplenomegaly, weight loss, arthritis and peripheraladenopathy. Imaging findings included hilar adenopathy (94%), abdominal nodes (50%) andpulmonary infiltrates (44%). All children were treated with steroids (range 6-12 months) andweekly low dose oral methotrexate. All patients showed significant improvement over a mean(SD) duration of follow-up of 3.1 (0.9) years, as assessed by resolution of clinical symptoms,and improvement in spirometry parameters, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serumangiotensin converting enzyme levels. Conclusions: Children with sarcoidosis seem torespond well to systemic steroids and low dose methotrexate. Delayed diagnosis and ocularinvolvement are probably associated with poor outcome.