Clinical analysis of 12 cases of acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia in children

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment process of acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia (AELP) in children, in order to improve treatment efficacy and prognosis. Method This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and treatment process of patients with AELP admitted to the Intensive Care Medicine Department of Hebei Children’s Hospital from January 2017 to October 2025. Results 1.This study collected 12 patients, according to the interval between exposure to oil substances and hospitalization,patients with a delay of more than 12 h were classified as the delayed visit group, while those with a delay of less than or equal to 12 h were classified as the early visit group.Compared with the early visit group, the delayed visit group had significantly lower oxygenation score, higher inflammatory markers (WBC, CRP, LDH), and longer hospital stays (all P < 0.05). 2.The oxygenation score of children with hospitalization time >7 days was lower than that of children with hospitalization time ≤ 7 days( P < 0.05). Eleven of 12 patients recovered; follow-up imaging showed complete resolution within 2 weeks to 3 months. Conclusion Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia (AELP) in children is caused by accidental inhalation of lipids.In this case series, a longer interval between oil exposure and hospitalization (>12 h) was associated with a higher likelihood of secondary infection, greater treatment difficulty, and longer hospital stay.Monitoring oxygenation scores upon admission might serve as a preliminary predictor for longer hospital stays, pending validation in larger studies. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy combined with corticosteroid and nebulization therapy was used, and most children had a good prognosis.