A challenging case of abdominal distension in a 3-year old child

Abstract

Introduction. Important abdominal distension can be a challenge for both paediatricians and pediatric surgeons. Case presentation. Here, we report the case of a 3-year old child admitted to Pediatric Surgery Department for significant abdominal distension, food refusal and abdominal pain. He underwent radiological investigations; conditions like congenital megacolon and mechanical obstruction were excluded. At hospital admission, abdominal distension was minimal, but it became severe after episodes of air swallowing. Sleep bruxism and behavioural changes appeared also. An abdominal computerized tomography scan and barium swallow tests showed important distension of the stomach with excessive gas, a small intestine and colon. On upper endoscopy - the urease test for Helicobacter pylori detection was positive and specific treatment was administered. In addition, a psychiatric evaluation was done because of behaviour changes. Aerophagia was suspected, and clonazepam treatment was recommended. Conclusion. This is an unreported case of association between Helicobacter pylori infection and aerophagia, which had a favourable outcome after antibiotherapy for gastritis and clonazepam for psychologic aerophagia.