New Delhi, A new case study of a child who developed life-threatening allergic reactions after prolonged contact with pigeon feathers and droppings has brought to light serious health risks linked to prolonged exposure to the bird.
The 11-year-old boy from east Delhi was brought to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital with what initially seemed like a routine cough, doctors said in the study.
His condition, however, worsened as his respiratory functions worsened, they said in a statement.
The boy was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), which was caused by an allergic reaction to pigeon proteins, and required immediate medical attention, said Dr. Dhiren Gupta, co-director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit ( PICU).
Medical tests showed lung inflammation and opacities consistent with PH, he said. Opacities refer to areas that appear white on a chest x-ray, when they should be darker.
Gupta explained that PH is a chronic interstitial lung disease, in which the organ becomes scarred, making breathing difficult. The condition is more common among adults and rare in children, affecting 2 to 4 per lakh population in a year, he added.
The boy was given steroids and given respiratory support through high-flow oxygen therapy, in which gas is passed into the body through a tube placed in the nostrils. This helped reduce inflammation in his lungs and restore breathing to near normal levels, the doctor said in the case study.
Seeing that the boy was responding positively to the treatment, he was eventually discharged with a comprehensive care plan to manage his condition, Gupta said.
HP is the result of inflammation caused by the immune system in response to repeated exposure to certain environmental substances, such as bird allergens, mold, and fungi. Secondhand exposure to e-cigarettes could also trigger an inflammatory response, Gupta said.
The case highlights the hidden health risks posed by prolonged exposure to birds and the critical importance of recognizing the early signs of HP. Taking immediate action can prevent serious complications, Gupta said.
"Education about potential environmental triggers, such as bird droppings and feathers, is essential to preventing similar incidents," he said.
He also emphasized the need to exercise caution when dealing with seemingly harmless pigeons and chickens.
The 11-year-old boy from east Delhi was brought to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital with what initially seemed like a routine cough, doctors said in the study.
His condition, however, worsened as his respiratory functions worsened, they said in a statement.
The boy was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), which was caused by an allergic reaction to pigeon proteins, and required immediate medical attention, said Dr. Dhiren Gupta, co-director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit ( PICU).
Medical tests showed lung inflammation and opacities consistent with PH, he said. Opacities refer to areas that appear white on a chest x-ray, when they should be darker.
Gupta explained that PH is a chronic interstitial lung disease, in which the organ becomes scarred, making breathing difficult. The condition is more common among adults and rare in children, affecting 2 to 4 per lakh population in a year, he added.
The boy was given steroids and given respiratory support through high-flow oxygen therapy, in which gas is passed into the body through a tube placed in the nostrils. This helped reduce inflammation in his lungs and restore breathing to near normal levels, the doctor said in the case study.
Seeing that the boy was responding positively to the treatment, he was eventually discharged with a comprehensive care plan to manage his condition, Gupta said.
HP is the result of inflammation caused by the immune system in response to repeated exposure to certain environmental substances, such as bird allergens, mold, and fungi. Secondhand exposure to e-cigarettes could also trigger an inflammatory response, Gupta said.
The case highlights the hidden health risks posed by prolonged exposure to birds and the critical importance of recognizing the early signs of HP. Taking immediate action can prevent serious complications, Gupta said.
"Education about potential environmental triggers, such as bird droppings and feathers, is essential to preventing similar incidents," he said.
He also emphasized the need to exercise caution when dealing with seemingly harmless pigeons and chickens.
