Manifestation of leech infestation as severe gastrointestinal bleeding in a 3-year-old boy: a case report and review of the literature

BMC Pediatrics

Case Report

Fereshteh Karbasian¹  Sara Salehi¹  Narges Ansari-Charsoughi¹  Mohammad-Hadi Imanieh²  Ali Ghanei-Shahmirzadi³  Hamid Reihani³ 

[1] Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;

关键词: Leeches;    Gastrointestinal hemorrhage;    Melena;    Hematemesis;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12887-022-03778-1

 received in 2022-04-21, accepted in 2022-11-26,  发布年份 2022

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundLeeches are a class of hermaphroditic parasites that can attach to various body parts and start sucking blood. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding due to leeches is a rare phenomenon that is more common in less developed countries. Common symptoms include melena, hematemesis, pallor, weakness, and fatigue. Due to the similar symptoms of this issue to the main differential diagnoses of GI bleeding in pediatrics, such as diarrhea, constipation, diverticulitis, esophagitis, and anal fissures, it is challenging to differentiate it from the rest.Case presentationWe present a three-year-old boy who was transferred to our center with hematemesis, tarry stool, and a drop in hemoglobin level. He finally was diagnosed with a leech in his stomach.ConclusionsIn less developed counties, the inability to reach safe drinking water, swim in lakes or springs, and inadequate awareness of public health information among individuals can be risk factors for leech infestation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2022

【 图 表 】

12982_2022_119_Article_IEq5.gif

12982_2022_119_Article_IEq1.gif

Fig. 3

Fig. 3