Abstract:

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is one of the rare and fatal non-infectious pulmonary complications after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children. Mutiple risk factors such as primary graft dysfunction, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), lymphocytic bronchiolitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux, and air pollution, particularly in children, have been reported to be the most common contributions to the bronchiolitis obliterans syndromepost-HSCT. An early diagnosis and treatment of BOS following HSCT is challenging due to the lack of obvious early symptoms, high risk of open lung biopsy, irreversible pathophysiological changes, and the failure of steroid treatment in some children. In this review, we summarize research advances in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of this lethal noninfectious pulmonary complication, and provide suggestions for further improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic norms applicable to post-HSCT BOS in children.

Key words: bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, child