Causes

• Infection
• Tumour

Interventions

• Haemoptysis is frightening for the child or young person and their family.
• Where appropriate reassurance should be given that major haemorrhage is, in reality, unlikely.
• Where the cause is tumour, radiotherapy may have a dual effect of shrinking the mass and reducing bleeding from surface.
• Etamsylate (enhances platelet adhesiveness if numbers are normal) and tranexamic acid (antifibrinolytic) can both reduce the risk of haemoptysis.
• It is important to prepare for the possibility of significant haemorrhage, albeit small.
  • Ensure dark green surgical towels are by child’s bedside or in the family home (blood volumes appear greater and more frightening against white bed linen)
  • Parenteral Midazolam (SC, IV or buccal) should be accessible to be given as necessary to sedate the child in the event of a distressing, catastrophic haemorrhage.