Summary
Introduction:
This text presents a case report of a patient with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). The text also discusses the potential health risks of e-cigarette use in children and adolescents.
Key Points:
* The patient is an 18-year-old woman who presented with progressive dyspnea, cough, and pleuritic chest pain after using e-cigarettes for 2-3 weeks.
* She was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and ARDS, and was treated with intravenous corticosteroids.
* The text also discusses other cases of respiratory illness associated with e-cigarette use, including lipid pneumonia and eosinophilic pneumonia.
* E-cigarette use is increasing in popularity among children and adolescents, with a threefold increase in use between 2011 and 2013.
* There is limited data on the health risks of e-cigarettes in pediatric patients.
* Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lipid pneumonia, and eosinophilic pneumonia should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who exhibit respiratory symptoms after using e-cigarettes.
* The text highlights the need for pediatricians to discuss the potential harms of e-cigarette use with their patients.
Main Message:
The text highlights the potential health risks of e-cigarette use in children and adolescents, including the development of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and ARDS. With the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes among this demographic, it is crucial for healthcare providers to be aware of the potential harms and to discuss them with their patients. The text emphasizes the importance of including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lipid pneumonia, and eosinophilic pneumonia in the differential diagnosis of patients who exhibit respiratory symptoms after using e-cigarettes. Overall, the text underscores the need for further research on the health risks of e-cigarettes in pediatric patients and for increased awareness and education among healthcare providers and the public.
Citation
Sommerfeld, Casey G, Daniel J Weiner, Andrew Nowalk, and Allyson Larkin. “Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome From E-Cigarette Use,” 2018
