INTRODUCTION:Hemoptysis refers to the expectoration of blood from the lower respiratory tract. Hemoptysis is rare in children unless bleeding is significant.

AIM:The aim of this study is to determine the specific etiologies of childhood hemoptysis and to differentiate pseudohemoptysis.

METHODS:The files of pediatric patients who applied to the Pediatric Chest Diseases outpatient clinic between January 2018 and December 2022 with the complaint of bleeding from the mouth were retrospectively scanned. Hemoptysis was defined as blood coming from the mouth with sputum or cough. Patients' age, gender, bleeding color, duration, cause of hemoptysis, diagnostic methods, and follow-up were recorded.

RESULTS:Thirty-three children were examined; 18(54,5%) were found to have true hemoptysis and 15 (45,5%) had pseudo-hemoptysis. While 20(60,6%) patients had cough symptoms, 15(75%) of these patients had true hemoptysis; the other 5(25%) had pseudo-hemoptysis. The presence of cough was significantly higher the patients with true hemoptysis than the patients with pseudohemoptysis (p:0,013). Coagulation parameters were normal in all patients. The most common cause of hemoptysis was 50% (n:9) lung parenchymal diseases. The most common causes of pseudohemoptysis were 26,7% (n:4) upper respiratory tract infections and 26,7% (n:4) dental problems.

CONCLUSION:In the diagnosis of childhood hemoptysis, the presence of cough was found to be the most important indicator. In the differential diagnosis of pseudohemoptysis, especially the presence of upper respiratory tract infections and investigation of dental problems are important.