Exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis in pregnancy

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is a very rare disease in adults. Its occurrence in pregnancy has been described only once. A case of a 16-yr-old patient with an exacerbation of IPH during pregnancy resulting in intrauterine fetal death in the 28th week of gestation is described. The deterioration of the IPH is most probably related to the hemodynamic alterations which are at their maximum during the seventh month of pregnancy. Although rare, the case suggests that women with IPH should be followed carefully during pregnancy and, in the case of a deterioration in the patient's condition despite immunosuppressive therapy, termination of pregnancy should be considered.