Pneumonitis in children

What is pneumonitis in children?

Pneumonitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tissue of a child’s lungs. The inflammation occurs when an irritant enters the lungs. In most cases, these are inflammatory conditions that are not contagious.

If your child has this condition, it is important that they receive treatment to avoid scarring of the lungs (known as fibrosis), which can result from untreated pneumonitis.

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonitis in children?

Signs and symptoms of pneumonitis may include:

• Decreased appetite

• Dry cough

• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

• Shortness of breath

• Unintentional weight loss

What are the causes of pneumonitis in children?

Causes of pneumonitis are varied, and include:

• Bacteria

• Certain antibiotics

• Exposure to bird feathers or feces

• High doses of aspirin

• Mold

• Some chemotherapy drugs

• Certain medications that are used to regulate heartbeat

• History of radiation therapy to the chest or whole body