Etiologies of hemoptysis in children: A systematic review of 171 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To provide prevalence rates for the most common causes of hemoptysis in children.

DATA SOURCES: A systematic review of articles from PubMed, the OVID Cochrane Reviews (1960-2015), and EMBASE (1991-2015) was undertaken. Additional articles were identified by reviewing the bibliographies of selected studies. Search terms included hemoptysis, children, and humans.

STUDY SELECTION: Only case studies and cohorts that examined the causes of hemoptysis in children (birth to 21 years) were included; at least 10 patients were required of each study.

DATA EXTRACTION: Inclusion criteria, patient number, age range, patient source, and categorical and specific etiologies of hemoptysis were recorded.

DATA SYNTHESIS: From the 1,858 studies identified, seven were selected for inclusion. Eighty-nine percent of participants were found to have a specific etiology for hemoptysis. Of the categorical etiologies identified, infection (37.57%), "other causes" (31.79%), heart disease (6.36%), and neoplasia (4.05%) were the most common. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and pulmonary tuberculosis were the most common specific etiologies identified.

LIMITATIONS: By its nature, this study was subject to selection bias and under representation of specific etiologies.

CONCLUSIONS: Most pediatric patients presenting with hemoptysis have a specific etiology; pneumonia is the most common. A thorough history, physical exam, and focused laboratory evaluation is recommended for such patients. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:255-259. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.