Pulmonary Hemosiderosis

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PULMONARY HEMORRHAGE

AND HEMOSIDEROSIS IN INFANTS

http://gcrc.meds.cwru.edu/stachy/default.htm#THE%20CLEVELAND%

20OUTBREAK

Pediatric Pulmonary

Dorr G. Dearborn, Ph.D., M.D.

D. Infeld, M.D.

Pediatric Critical Care

G. , D.O.

Environmental Hygiene

Terrence M. Allan, M.P.H.

Cuyahoga County Board of Health

Table of Contents:

INTRODUCTION

THE CLEVELAND OUTBREAK

IS MY MOLD STACHYBOTRYS?

HOW TO CLEAN UP MOLD

DOES MY INFANT OR CHILD HAVE PULMONARY HEMOSIDEROSIS?

PHYSICIAN INFORMATION CONTACT

REPORTING A CASE

RESPONSE TO MMWR REPORT:

Investigator Team's Response to MMWR Report

Letters to the editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY HEMOSIDEROSIS: NATIONAL ORGANIZATION

ADULT HEALTH CONCERNS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND PUBLICATIONS

Introduction

Over the past several years, there have been a number of young

infants (most under 6 months old), in the eastern neighborhoods of

Cleveland, who have been coughing up blood due to bleeding in their

lungs. Some infants have died and more infants continue to to get

ill. This bleeding, a disorder called Pulmonary Hemorrhage appears

to be caused by something in their home environments, most likely

toxins produced by an unusual fungus called Stachybotrys chartarum

or similar fungi.

What is Pulmonary Hemosiderosis?

Bleeding in the lungs.

What Are The Symptoms?

Severe bleeding can cause coughing up blood or nose bleeds. This is

particularly concerning in infants under 6 months old. Chronic, low

grade bleeding can cause chronic cough and congestion with anemia.

What Causes The Bleeding?

Most likely, toxins made by an unusual fungus or mold Stachybotrys.

When infants breathe in the toxins, the blood vessels in their lungs

may become fragile. The weak vessels may be bothered by cigarette

smoke or stresses from other illnesses and start to bleed. You

cannot see the toxins in the air rather they are carried in the

microscopic fungal spores.

How Do I Know If The Fungus Or Mold Is In My House?