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Intestinal obstruction in an autistic adolescent.
Francis Serour1, Michaela Witzling, Daniela Frenkel-Laufer
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, the E. Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel. serour@wolfson.health.gov.il
Pediatric Emergency Care
|February 26, 2009
Summary
Bezoars and foreign bodies are common in children with psychiatric disorders. This case highlights an unusual foreign body causing small-bowel obstruction in an autistic adolescent.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Bezoars and foreign bodies are prevalent in children with psychiatric disorders, particularly those with eating disorders like pica.
- Pica predominantly affects high-risk populations, including psychiatric and mentally disabled children.
- Small-bowel obstruction from ingested foreign bodies is rare due to natural passage.
Observation:
- A case study of an autistic adolescent is presented.
- The adolescent required surgical intervention.
- The cause was a small-bowel obstruction attributed to an unusual foreign body.
Findings:
- The case demonstrates an uncommon complication of foreign body ingestion.
- Autistic individuals may present with unique challenges regarding foreign body ingestion and its consequences.
- Surgical intervention was necessary to resolve the obstruction.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering unusual foreign bodies in pediatric bowel obstruction, especially in psychiatric patients.
- Underscores the need for tailored diagnostic and management approaches in autistic children with suspected foreign body ingestion.
- Emphasizes the potential for severe gastrointestinal complications in this patient population.
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