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Abnormal per rectal bleed
Arvinder Harbaksh Singh Singh1
1AIMST University, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia. avinder.singh.r@gmail.com
Insights
A child experienced severe rectal bleeding and fainting after visiting a waterfall. Investigations revealed an unusual cause for this acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Emergency Medicine
- Parasitology
Background:
- Acute per rectal bleeding in children can be alarming.
- Recent environmental exposure, such as visiting waterfalls, may present diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old girl presented with acute per rectal bleeding and subsequent hypotension and syncope.
- A history of visiting a waterfall was noted prior to the event.
Findings:
- The case report details the diagnostic process for identifying the cause of severe rectal bleeding.
- The investigation uncovered an unexpected etiology linked to the waterfall visit.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of thorough patient history, including environmental exposures, in pediatric emergencies.
- Underscores the need for considering rare causes of gastrointestinal bleeding in children.
- Emphasizes prompt and appropriate investigation in cases of acute rectal bleeding with hemodynamic compromise.
Abstract:
A 3-year old girl presented to our A&E with a complaint of an acute event of per rectal bleed. The parent had given a history of a visit to a nearby waterfall one day ago. Upon admission she developed hypotension and had a fainting episode due to the excessive passing of blood per rectum. The case report shows how the appropriate investigations were carried out and the twist behind the cause.
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