Case 2: a previously healthy three-month-old baby with dyspnoea and expiratory grunting

Abstract

Although Pneumocystis carinii is exceptional in immunocompetent children, it must be suspected in all cases of interstitial pneumonia with severe hypoxaemia and a poor clinical and radiological course, making the diagnosis by means of bronchoalveolar lavage. In severe cases, it is important to start empirical treatment with co-trimoxazole and steroids early, without waiting for microbiological confirmation, in order to reduce the high morbidity and mortality.