Pulmonary function following blastomycosis in childhood

In order to determine the pulmonary outcome following blastomycosis during childhood, we compiled a case series of hospitalized patients fi om a retro spective review with later recall for pulmonary function testing, coupled w ith prospective measurements of pulmonary function in three patients, at a tertiary care children's hospital. A convenience sample of five of 17 patie nts hospitalized with pulmonary blastomycosis, whose mean age at the time o f diagnosis was 10.6 +/- 5.5 years, was recalled at a mean of 4.5 +/- 3.5 y ears after diagnosis. Three patients more recently hospitalized underwent s erial pulmonary function testing (:PFT) prospectively from as soon after th e acute infection as their condition permitted. All but two patients had no rmal PFT when last seen. The two patients with persistent pulmonary sequela e were among those followed up prospectively and had more severe clinical a nd radiographic pictures at the outset, Pulmonary function in children who suffered from pulmonary blastomycosis is normal in most patients at follow- up years later. Severe radiographic disease and slow recovery over months p ortend long-term sequelae.