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Case Reports
. 2018 Sep 17:11:225-228.
doi: 10.2147/IMCRJ.S175653. eCollection 2018.

Iron-deficiency anemia with lithobezoar (pica): a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in a 5-year-old Nigerian child

Olayinka R Ibrahim  1 , Abubakar S Lugga  1 , Nuraddeen Ibrahim  1 , Lawal M Ibrahim  1 , Bello M Suleiman  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Iron-deficiency anemia with lithobezoar (pica): a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in a 5-year-old Nigerian child

Olayinka R Ibrahim et al. Int Med Case Rep J. .

Abstract

Background: Despite a high prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in developing countries such as Nigeria, intestinal obstruction secondary to lithobezoar (an accumulation of ingested stones within the gastrointestinal tract) is uncommon.

Case presentation: Herein, we report a case of acute intestinal obstruction secondary to ingestion of large pebbles and IDA in a 5-year-old Nigerian boy. The patient was managed conservatively with the use of laxatives and a rectal wash-out, and the pebbles were excreted over 3 days. Oral iron therapy was also commenced with cessation of pica.

Discussion: Although the direction of causal relationship between pica and IDA remains debatable, routine screening for iron deficiency among children with lithobezoar is recommended. Besides managing complications associated with lithobezoar, such as intestinal obstruction, prompt initiation of iron therapy among those who present with features of iron deficiency may be beneficial.

Keywords: child; intestinal obstruction; iron-deficiency anemia; lithobezoar.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Plain abdominal radiograph (erect view). (B) Plain abdominal radiograph (supine view).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Some of the pebbles passed by the child per rectum.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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