Ulcerative colitis in a Nigerian girl: a case report.

作者信息

Senbanjo Idowu O, Oshikoya Kazeem A, Onyekwere Charles A, Abdulkareem Fatimah B, Njokanma Olisamedua F

机构信息

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Lagos State University College of Medicine, PMB 21266, and Paediatrics Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Unit, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

出版信息

BMC Res Notes. 2012 Oct 10;5:564. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-564.

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is uncommon in the tropics and sub-tropics. We report a case of UC in a 7 year old girl whose parents were both Nigerians. This report is to alert healthcare professionals in sub-Saharan Africa that UC is not a rare health problem, especially in children.

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient presented with frequent passage of blood stained stool, abdominal pain and significant weight loss. The diagnosis was entertained after she was investigated for common causes of chronic diarrhea in our setting and the findings were negative. The patient symptoms abated after she was commenced on steroid therapy.

CONCLUSION

Under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis may account for a dearth of information on UC in African children.