Dysphagia and chest pain in a 7-year-old girl

Charles B Chen1, Balaji Cherupalla2

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, US.

Laboratory Medicine
|August 7, 2024
PubMed

Insights

A 7-year-old experienced sudden dysphagia and abdominal pain, revealing rare concurrent herpes simplex and eosinophilic esophagitis. This case highlights the importance of thorough evaluation for pediatric gastrointestinal complaints.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Dysphagia is a frequent pediatric gastrointestinal issue, necessitating evaluation for oropharyngeal and esophageal conditions.
  • Herpes simplex esophagitis (HSE) is uncommon in immunocompetent children and usually resolves spontaneously.
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder causing esophageal dysfunction.

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