Splenic rupture is a rare and severe condition in neonates. The signs and symptoms are vague and non-specific and are often not recognised before the onset of hypovolaemic shock or death. A 2-day-old infant presented with scrotal ecchymosis, and ultrasonography detected haemorrhage in the scrotal, right inguinal and adrenal regions. Computed tomography demonstrated a peri-splenic haematoma. Haemoglobin (Hb) was 2.79 g/dL and, despite repeated transfusions, the Hb level could not be sustained. Exploratory laparotomy detected a large haematoma in the splenic region, and, because of the uncontrolled haemorrhage, splenectomy was required.
Abbreviations: ADEM: acute disseminated encephalomyelitis; CT: computed tomography; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; PGCS: paediatric Glasgow coma scale; PICU: paediatric intensive care unit.
Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a chronic haemolytic anaemia associated with vaso-occlusive painful crises which may affect several systems including the gastro-intestinal system, resulting in abdominal pain. The concurrence of inflammatory bowel disease and haemoglobinopathy is rare. No previously reported concurrent cases of both SCA and ulcerative colitis (UC) in sub-Saharan Africa were found in the literature. A 16-year-old girl with concurrent SCA and UC is presented. She was admitted to University College Hospital, Ibadan with a 1-year history of recurrent peri-umbilical pain and bloody stools. These symptoms were mainly attributed to SCA at the referring hospital, and she was managed for chronic tropical diarrhoea without a remarkable clinical response. This case illustrates the concurrent presentation of SCA and ulcerative colitis which led to the missed and delayed diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.
Iron deficiency anaemia is a common disorder in the paediatric age-group. The association between iron deficiency and venous thrombosis in children without an underlying illness is rare. Two cases are described. A 17-year-old girl had been taking oestrogen-progestogen therapy for contraception for about 2 years and developed a lower-limb deep vein thrombosis associated with pulmonary embolism. A 3-year-old girl was admitted to the paediatric emergency department with pallor, weakness and vomiting, and a cerebral CT showed a recent cerebral venous thrombosis. Both cases had severe iron-deficiency anaemia which increases a thrombotic tendency and could be a further crucial trigger of venous thrombosis in patients at low risk; therefore, in cases of unexplained thrombosis, it must always be considered to be a risk factor.Abbreviations APCR: activated protein C resistance; CMV: cytomegalovirus; CT: computerised tomography; CVST: cerebral venous sinus thrombosis; CVT: cerebral venous thrombosis; DVT: deep vein thrombosis; DOACs: direct oral anticoagulants; EBV: Epstein-Barr virus; ID: iron deficiency; IDA: iron deficiency anaemia; LMWH: low molecular weight heparin; PE: pulmonary embolism; RDW: red blood cell distribution width; VT: venous thrombosis.