The cause of hemoptysis according to age and the amount of hemoptysis in children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Studies on hemoptysis is rare because hemoptysis is an uncommon symptom in children. The aim of this study was to identify the causes of hemoptysis in children. METHODS: Medical chart review of patients with hemoptysis was retrospectively conducted at 2 tertiary hospitals from November 2008 to December 2014. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to age. The amount of hemoptysis was categorized as mild (<20 mL/day), moderate (20–99 mL/day), and massive (≥100 mL/day). RESULTS: A total of 59 patients were identified, and their mean age was 11.0±5.6 years. Among the causes of hemoptysis, respiratory tract infection was most common. Other causes included vasculitis syndrome, neoplasm in the airway, idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis, cardiac disease, and bronchiectasis. According to age, a significant difference was identified between the age groups in children with pneumonia (<6 years vs. 12–18 years, P=0.001). Differences were verified between the age groups in children with tuberculosis (<6 years vs. 12–18 years and 6–11 years vs. 12–18 years, P=0.023). According to amounts of hemoptysis, no significant difference was identified regardless of the causes. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the causes of hemoptysis in children were heterogeneous and the respiratory tract infection was most common. In children with hemoptysis, the age of onset and the amount of hemoptysis are needed to be considered for more precise diagnosis and more proper management of the underlying cause of hemoptysis.