A 6-year-old girl with gout: a case report and another unusual presentation

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in adults, and although gout has been trending younger in recent years, children with gout before the age of 10 years are still rare cases, especially asymptomatic children with gout, making gout in children easy to misdiagnose. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, imaging findings, and treatment outcomes of a 6-year-old girl with gout.

This case presents a detailed report of a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with primary gout, a condition that is exceedingly rare in pediatric patients, especially those asymptomatic. The patient exhibited a swelling on her right foot that was initially misdiagnosed multiple times before being correctly identified as gout. This patient experienced a marked improvement in their condition following the administration of the prescribed treatment. Furthermore, subsequent follow-up assessments have confirmed the absence of any recurrence. The case highlights the diagnostic challenges faced due to atypical presentations and lack of pediatric-specific diagnostic criteria for hyperuricemia and gout. In this study, we provided a comprehensive discussion on the genetic and metabolic factors contributing to gout, as well as the importance of early and accurate diagnosis to prevent long-term complications.

This case report provides valuable insights into the rare occurrence of gout in children, emphasizing the importance of early and accurate diagnosis and treatment for primary gout in children, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and accurate diagnostic criteria among pediatric clinicians.