Pediatric sarcoidosis in India.

OBJECTIVE

Since 1957, when the first pediatric case of sarcoidosis was reported, 11 more cases have been traced in the Indian literature.

METHODS

Nine of them were reported from general wards of hospitals (while the remaining 3 were from pediatric unit of AIIMS, New Delhi). Failure of initial treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs for some months, necessitated search for an alternative diagnosis. Considerable delay (several months to years) occurred due to several parent- or physician-dependant factors.

RESULTS

Affection more in girls (9 to 12), universal fever and constitutional symptoms, loss of weight, scanty lung features, hepatomegaly, often with massive splenomegaly, frequent lymphadenopathy etc. caused initial confusion.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with oral steroid or with chloquine and NSAIDS with or without steroid MDI gave equally good results. Long follow-up was done in a few cases only, showing relapses in nearly 66%. One case had a superinfection with acid-fast bacilli.