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A Case Study of a Child with Down Syndrome: A Dilemma for the Accompanying Pulmonary Impairment Cover

A Case Study of a Child with Down Syndrome: A Dilemma for the Accompanying Pulmonary Impairment

By: I. Chakarov  
Open Access
|Dec 2025

Abstract

This is a 12-year-old boy with proven trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). During the last calendar year, a series of severe inflammatory manifestations of the lower respiratory tract began. Before the first hospitalization, he was in a serious general condition, with a pronounced biological syndrome of inflammation (CRP – 197 mg/L), but without leukocytosis. Oxygen saturation was 60%. The performed chest radiograph showed left-sided lung destruction and a multifocal inflammatory-infiltrative process in the right lung. In the following months, an active exacerbation of the manifestations of respiratory failure and radiographic progression of pulmonary changes followed. A new chest CT scan was performed – with data on consolidation of the parenchyma in both lobes of the left lung to the extent of atelectasis. In the right lung – middle and lower lobe, extensive ground glass areas, emphysema in the right apical and dislocation of the mediastinum. The subsequent chest X-ray showed no changes compared to the previous one, except for marking the interlobe on the right. After consultation with a thoracic surgeon, a left-sided pulmonectomy was proposed. In the mycograms performed at the same time, a result was obtained proving the presence of Paecilomyces spp. Due to the negative result for Aspergillus, the treatment started with Voriconazole was changed to Itraconazole according to the obtained result. At present, the patient is at the end of the first month of his treatment cycle with itraconazole, and a new imaging study is to be conducted to assess the effect of the treatment.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amb-2025-0079 | Journal eISSN: 2719-5384 | Journal ISSN: 0324-1750
Language: English
Page range: 72 - 78
Submitted on: Jan 30, 2025
Accepted on: Feb 14, 2025
Published on: Dec 6, 2025
Published by: Sofia Medical University
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2025 I. Chakarov, published by Sofia Medical University
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.