Colitis
Presentation
Bloody diarrhoea for several days. Distended abdomen. No mass on examination.
Patient Data
Age: 9 months
Gender: Male
From the case:
Colitis
X-ray
Frontal
Extensive pneumatosis. No evidence of perforation. No suggestion of ileocolic intussusception.
Case Discussion
Pneumatosis is rare in this agegroup. In non-neonate pediatrics, the causes include (from a series of 30 patients 1):
- non-infective colitis (32%)
- enteric infection (27%)
- ischemia (20%)
- dysmotility (17%)
In this case, there was no evidence of infection or dysmotility. Lactate was normal. The child responded to steroid therapy and a presumed diagnosis of non-infective colitis was made. The cause was no identified and there were no further presentations.