YF Yip, WKY Chan

Abstract

We reported a 15-year-old boy, who was well all along, presented to us with acute respiratory failure caused by acute lupus pneumonitis (ALP). The immediate differentiation of ALP from other causes of acute respiratory failure is of utmost importance. Early bronchoalveolar lavage for microscopic examination and microbiological study assists in arriving at the diagnosis. Early trial of immunosuppressive treatment in patients with ALP is life saving.