Profound hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension in a 7-month-old infant: late presentation of alveolar capillary dysplasia

Abstract

Objective: To report a case of an oldest previously asymptomatic infant diagnosed with alveolar capillary dysplasia who lived a relatively normal life until 7 months of age.

Design: Descriptive case report.

Setting: Intensive care unit of a tertiary care children's hospital.

Patient: Seven-month-old female infant with profound hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension.

Conclusion: Alveolar capillary dysplasia should be considered with a high index of suspicion in an infant who presents with pulmonary hypertension beyond the neonatal period and for which no anatomical cause can be found. Early consideration of open lung biopsy may prevent using costly, invasive, and probably ineffective procedures such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.