Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in Down Syndrome: A Case Report
Abstract
Down syndrome is a common chromosomal abnormality, which is associated with a wide spectrum of multiorgan complications, including gastrointestinal disorders. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare type of small intestinal obstruction caused by compression of the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery anteriorly and the abdominal aorta posteriorly. A 12-year-old boy with Down syndrome came to the emergency department with a first seizure secondary to electrolyte disturbances. He had been having recurrent episodes of bilious vomiting. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a markedly distended stomach and proximal duodenum with a narrow aortomesenteric angle consistent with superior mesenteric artery syndrome. The patient received successful conservative treatment with aggressive fluid resuscitation, bowel decompression, and electrolyte correction. Child protection services found that the patient had rapid weight loss recently after parents were confronted with the confirmed diagnosis of Down syndrome in their child. Physicians need to consider superior mesenteric artery syndrome in any child with an intellectual disability presenting with a clinical picture of intestinal obstruction.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Patient-Centered Pharmaceutical Design to Improve Acceptability of Medicines: Similarities and Differences in Paediatric and Geriatric Populations
- Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for irritable bowel syndrome 2020
- Phase 2b Study of Pimodivir (JNJ-63623872) as Monotherapy or in Combination With Oseltamivir for Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Seasonal Influenza A: TOPAZ Trial
- Gastrointestinal manifestations in COVID-19
- COVID-19 and Gastrointestinal Disease: Implications for the Gastroenterologist
- Persistent gut barrier damage and commensal bacterial influx following eradication of Giardia infection in mice
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.