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[Ischemic colitis and hemophagocytosis complicating Kawasaki disease]

F Thabet1, I Bellara, B Tabarki

  • 1Service de pédiatrie, hôpital Farhat-Hached, avenue Ibn-El-Jazzar, 4000 Sousse, Tunisie. thabetfarah@yahoo.fr

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|March 3, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Kawasaki disease can lead to severe gastrointestinal complications like hemophagocytosis and ischemic colitis. Early recognition and management are crucial for better patient outcomes in pediatric cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Kawasaki disease (KD) typically presents with fever and rash, but gastrointestinal symptoms can occur.
  • Common GI manifestations include stomatitis, paralytic ileus, and gallbladder hydrops.
  • Severe complications are less common but warrant recognition.

Observation:

  • A 5-year-old girl with KD developed hemophagocytosis, successfully treated with gamma-globulin.
  • She later presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea, suggestive of ischemic colitis on CT scan.
  • Symptoms resolved with total parenteral nutrition.

Findings:

  • This case highlights hemophagocytosis as a complication of KD responsive to standard therapy.
  • Ischemic colitis emerged as a distinct, severe GI complication in this patient.
  • The interplay between KD, hemophagocytosis, and ischemic colitis was observed.

Implications:

  • Ischemic colitis and hemophagocytosis represent potential, serious complications of Kawasaki disease.
  • Awareness of these severe GI manifestations is vital for timely diagnosis and treatment.
  • This case underscores the need for comprehensive monitoring of KD patients for systemic complications.
Abstract

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