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Case Report: Primary Peritonitis as the Onset of Pediatric Ménétrier's Disease

Ana Barrés-Fernández1, Andrés Piolatti-Luna1, José Rafael Bretón-Martínez1,2

  • 1Pediatric Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, Spain.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|February 1, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Primary peritonitis can be the initial symptom of pediatric Ménétrier

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Rare Diseases
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Primary peritonitis (PP) and Ménétrier's Disease (MD) are rare in children.
  • MD onset with PP is an exceptionally unusual presentation.

Observation:

  • An 11-year-old boy presented with abdominal pain and distension.
  • Diagnostic workup revealed ascites, pleural effusion, leukocytosis, and hypoalbuminemia.
  • Laparoscopy confirmed PP; stool analysis indicated protein-losing enteropathy, and gastroscopy revealed MD.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with primary peritonitis as the initial manifestation of pediatric Ménétrier's Disease.
  • The clinical course was favorable with no recurrence after 12 months.
  • Biochemical stool analysis showed increased alpha-1-antitrypsin clearance, indicative of protein-losing enteropathy.

Implications:

  • Primary peritonitis can be the first clinical sign of pediatric Ménétrier's Disease.
  • Recognizing this association is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and management in children.
  • Understanding the generally benign nature of MD in pediatric cases can prevent unnecessary investigations and treatments.
Keywords:
Ménétrier's diseasecase reporthypertrophic gastropathyprimary peritonitisprotein-losing enteropathy

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