Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Secondary to Interstitial Lung Disease in a 2.5 Year Old-Child with Trisomy 21: A Case Report

Abstract

Respiratory complications are the leading cause of mortality in Down syndrome, yet “Down syndrome-associated lung disease” (DSLD) remains frequently under- recognized. DSLD represents a distinct phenotype characterized by the convergence of alveolar simplification, vascular dysgenesis, and immune dysregulation. I present a 2.5-year-old boy from those who visit the clinic with trisomy 21 and congenital hypothyroidism who presented with failure to thrive, progressive tachypnea, and signs of right heart failure. Physical examination revealed diffuse fine crackles and a loud P2. Echocardiography confirmed severe, suprasystemic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) disproportionate to his minor cardiac septal defects. High- resolution computed tomography (HRCT) demonstrated the hallmark findings of DSLD: diffuse subpleural cysts and interlobular septal thickening. Polysomnography confirmed concurrent moderate obstructive sleep apnea. This case illustrates the aggressive nature of DSLD, where structural alveolar hypoplasia (subpleural cysts) correlates with intrinsic vascular fragility and severe PAH. The patient’s stabilization required a multimodal strategy targeting three pathogenic axes: hemodynamic off- loading (sildenafil), airway obstruction (CPAP/surgery), and parenchymal inflammation (corticosteroids). Clinicians must recognize subpleural cysts as a “red flag” for this complex pan-pulmonary disorder to initiate early, targeted intervention.