Migratory atelectasis in an asthmatic child following steroid withdrawal

Following discontinuation of steroid therapy, a twelve-year-old child developed recurrent episodes of atelectasis involving multiple lung segments. Bronchospasm was not detectable, and mucus plugs could not be demonstrated. After 6 weeks, severe asthma occurred, necessitating the administration of steroid therapy. Since the resumption of maintenance steroids, atelectasis has not recurred. Several possible mechanisms for this series of events are discussed.