Chronic eosinophilic ascites in a very young child.
A case of chronic eosinophilic ascites with onset in early infancy is described. An intensive diagnostic work-up ruled out other known causes of ascites in childhood. The final diagnosis was made at 2 years of age when a large number of eosinophils was detected in the ascitic fluid. The outcome was complicated by an ex vacuo intraperitoneal haemorrhage. Steroids were able to control the disease only after complete aspiration (1600 ml) of the ascitic fluid. On discontinuation of treatment, peritoneal inflammation recurred indicating steroid-dependency.


CONCLUSIONS
eosinophilic ascites, a very rare disorder in children, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of even very young children presenting with ascites.
Barabino
Arrigo Vittorio
AV
Paediatric Gastroenterology Unit, G. Gaslini Institute, L.go G. Gaslini 5, 16148 Genoa, Italy. arrigobarabino@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it
Castellano
Emanuela
E
Gandullia
Paolo
P
Torrente
Franco
F
Guida
Alessandra
A
Magnano
Gian Michele
GM
D001201:Ascites / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004802:Eosinophilia; D005759:Gastroenteritis; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008002:Libya; D008297:Male; D019152:Paracentesis; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed