Pediatric Crohn's Disease presenting as Severe Constipation and Abdominal Distension.
10.12701/yujm.2008.25.2.139
- Author:
Myong Soon SUNG
1
;
Seok Jeong KANG
;
Kwang Hae CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea. ckh@med.yu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Crohn's disease;
Constipation;
Pediatric;
Abdominal distension
- MeSH:
Abdominal Pain;
Anorexia;
Child;
Constipation;
Crohn Disease;
Diarrhea;
Erythema Nodosum;
Fever;
Humans;
Incidence;
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases;
Lethargy;
Malnutrition;
Nausea;
Puberty, Delayed;
Vomiting;
Weight Loss;
Young Adult
- From:Yeungnam University Journal of Medicine
2008;25(2):139-144
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that mainly affects children and young adults. Its cause remains unknown. The incidence of pediatric Crohn's disease is increasing, so it is important for clinicians to be aware of the presentation of this disease in the pediatric population. The majority of patients complain of abdominal pain (72%), with only 25% presenting with the 'classical triad' of abdominal pain, weight loss, and diarrhea. Many children with Crohn's disease present in a 'non-classical' manner, with vague complaints such as lethargy or anorexia, which may be associated with only mild abdominal discomfort. Other symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, growth retardation, malnutrition, delayed puberty, psychiatric symptoms, arthropathy, and erythema nodosum. Severe constipation and abdominal distension are uncommon symptoms at diagnosis. We report a case of pediatric Crohn's disease, which was diagnosed after the patient presented with severe constipation and abdominal distension.
