Objective To explore the clinical features of Heiner syndrome. Methods The clinical data of Heiner syndrome in 2 children were retrospectively analyzed. The literatures before February 2020 were collected by the search in PubMed and Wanfang database using keywords “Heiner syndrome” and “Heiner syndrome” and analyzed. Results There were two boys aged 1 month 8 days and 4 months 14 days respectively and they were fed with formula milk after birth. They had recurrent respiratory infections, diffuse lung lesions and anemia. The alveolar lavage fluid was found to be positive for hemosiderin cells. Twenty-five foreign cases and two domestic cases in literatures plus two children in this study were all fed with formula milk after birth. They were characterized by recurrent coughing, wheezing, fever, anemia and growth retardation, and the imaging findings of the lungs showed patchy infiltration. Respiratory and systemic symptoms were relieved after avoidance of cow’s milk diet. Conclusion? Heiner syndrome is rare and clinical diagnosis is difficult.