Content available only in Spanish.
Atypical presentation of acute abdomen in an older infant: case report and literature review
Atypical presentation of acute abdomen in an older infant: case report and literature review
Jorge M. Karam-Jimenez 1 
, Karla Sánchez-Olivera 1 , Valentina Karam-Acosta 2 , Alina Feldman-Unzek 2 , Alfredo Domínguez-Muñoz 3 , Alejandro Ferreiro-Marín 1
1 Departamento de Pediatría, Centro Médico ABC, Ciudad de México, México; 2 Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Anáhuac México, Huixquilucan, Estado de México, México; 3 Departamento de Cirugía Pediátrica, Centro Médico ABC, Ciudad de México, México
*Correspondence: Karla Sánchez-Olivera. Email: dra.karlasaol@gmail.com
Abstract
Acute abdomen in infants is a diagnostic challenge, since the nonspecific clinical presentation and the broad etiological spectrum delay the identification of severe surgical pathologies. We present the case of a 1-year-10-month-old male infant with gastrointestinal symptoms, signs of abdominal irritation, and tachycardia. After confirmation of multiple magnet ingestion, an exploratory laparotomy was performed because of acute abdomen, finding perforation in the terminal ileum and cecum. Magnet ingestion is a cause with a high risk of intestinal perforation and sepsis. Early clinical suspicion is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Keywords: Acute abdomen. Infant. Magnet ingestion. Foreign body. Intestinal perforation. Abdominal sepsis.
