FOLLICULAR BRONCHITIS IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION

Five patients in a pediatric population were identified with idiopathi c follicular bronchitis (IFB) by open lung biopsy and their case recor ds were reviewed. All were tachypneic and had a chronic cough by 6 wee ks of age. The physical examination was characterized by diffuse fine crackles in four patients and by coarse rhonchi in one. The chest radi ographs in all demonstrated a diffuse interstitial pattern. None had a collagen vascular or an autoimmune disease demonstrable. Response to corticosteroid therapy was minimal. Associated or coincidental esophag eal reflux was treated surgically in two. No viral or bacterial agents were isolated in the sputum or the biopsy specimens. Patients have be en followed up for 2 to 15 years; the conditions of all patients impro ved at about 2 to 4 years of age. The older patients have residual mil d obstructive lung disease. To our knowledge, this is the first report ed series of IFB in the pediatric population.