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A 7-Year-Old Girl with Limping and Leg Pain
Emanuele Savasta1, Alessandra Vincenza Fera1, Samuele La Mendola1
1from the Pediatric Training Program at the Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Italy.
NEJM Evidence
|May 26, 2026
Summary
This case report details a 7-year-old girl with a 6-week history of leg pain and limp. It highlights the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis and final management plan for pediatric leg pain.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Case Reports
- Clinical Reasoning
- Medical Education
Background:
- Morning Report is a traditional medical education conference.
- It involves presenting interesting patient cases for collaborative diagnosis.
- This case continues the tradition for readers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a challenging pediatric case.
- To illustrate the process of differential diagnosis.
- To demonstrate clinical reasoning in a real-world scenario.
Main Methods:
- A case study approach was used.
- Information was gathered through patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing.
- An illness script was developed to guide the diagnostic process.
Main Results:
- A previously healthy 7-year-old girl presented with a 6-week history of leg pain and limp.
- The differential diagnosis was refined as the clinical course progressed.
- A definitive diagnosis and management plan were established.
Conclusions:
- This case exemplifies the application of clinical reasoning in pediatric leg pain.
- It underscores the importance of a systematic approach to diagnosis.
- The report serves as an educational tool for physicians-in-training.
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