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Published on: January 28, 2019
An unusual cause of secondary capillary leak syndrome in a child: rotavirus diarrhea
Bilge Aldemir-Kocabaş1, Adem Karbuz, Ergin Ciftçi
1Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. drbaldemir@yahoo.com
Insights
A rare case of secondary capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) occurred in an infant with rotavirus diarrhea. Prompt treatment with prednisolone led to a full recovery, highlighting an unrecognized complication of rotavirus infection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Secondary capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) involves plasma leakage into the interstitial space, often due to endothelial damage.
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants and young children.
- While rotavirus complications are known, SCLS is not a commonly recognized one.
Observation:
- An 8-month-old infant presented with severe dehydration due to rotavirus diarrhea.
- During rehydration, the infant developed hypoalbuminemia and generalized edema, indicative of SCLS.
- This presentation suggests a potential link between rotavirus infection and SCLS.
Findings:
- The infant was diagnosed with secondary capillary leak syndrome complicating rotavirus diarrhea.
- Treatment with prednisolone resulted in successful resolution of SCLS symptoms.
- The patient was discharged without any long-term adverse effects.
Implications:
- This case report identifies secondary capillary leak syndrome as a previously unrecognized complication of rotavirus infection in infants.
- Early recognition and treatment of SCLS in the context of rotavirus gastroenteritis are crucial.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathophysiology and incidence of SCLS in rotavirus infections.
Abstract:
Secondary capillary leak syndrome is characterized by loss of fluid and proteins to the interstitial space due to different causes, which are related to endothelial damage. Rotavirus is the most common pathogen of diarrhea in childhood, especially during the first years of life. This virus is generally responsible for severe diarrhea and electrolyte imbalance in children. Some complications can also occur during the course of the rotavirus diarrhea. An eight-month-old girl with rotavirus diarrhea admitted to our clinic with severe dehydration. After restoring the intravascular volume, hypoalbuminemia and generalized edema were seen in the recruitment phase of the treatment, which was attributed to secondary capillary leak syndrome. She was successfully treated with prednisolone and discharged from the hospital without any sequelae. Herein, we report an infant with rotavirus diarrhea complicated with secondary capillary leak syndrome, which is an unidentified complication of the disease. To our knowledge, this is the first such case in the literature.
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