Pneumonia Presenting as Abdominal Pain in a Pediatric Patient

Authors

  • Sarah MacPhee Faculty of Medicine Dalhousie University
  • Erin Killorn Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Dalhousie University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15273/dmj.Vol41No2.5952

Abstract

Although clinically pneumonia is generally manifested by fever, tachypnea, dyspnea, and increased work of breathing, the pediatric presentation can vary significantly. Pneumonia may present as acute abdominal pain in
children, which can go unrecognized on a patient‘s initial evaluation and even be mistaken for a surgical condition. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in the pediatric population and is
frequently preceded by an upper respiratory infection. Described is the case of a six-year-old female with severe pneumococcal infection and pleural effusion following a history of upper respiratory illness. The patient was initially
transferred for assessment as a potential case of appendicitis.

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How to Cite

MacPhee, S., & Killorn, E. (2015). Pneumonia Presenting as Abdominal Pain in a Pediatric Patient. DALHOUSIE MEDICAL JOURNAL, 41(2). https://doi.org/10.15273/dmj.Vol41No2.5952

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 2 (2015)

Section

Case Report

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