Intractable ascites as a manifestation of Wolman's disease: report of two sibs

Indian J Gastroenterol. 2012 Dec;31(6):343-5. doi: 10.1007/s12664-012-0253-6. Epub 2012 Sep 25.

Abstract

Wolman disease (WD) is a rare, inherited, rapidly fatal condition presenting in early infancy. The disease manifests in the first month of life with failure to thrive, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distension, hepatosplenomegaly and bilateral adrenal calcification and is nearly always fatal before the age of 1 year. Barring a case report of isolated fetal ascites, there is no report of intractable ascites as the presentation of WD till date. We report two siblings with WD who both had intractable ascites and required therapeutic paracentesis, albumin infusion, and diuretics to control tense ascites. Although rare, WD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infantile ascites.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Ascites / etiology*
  • Ascites / therapy
  • Failure to Thrive
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Paracentesis
  • Wolman Disease / complications*
  • Wolman Disease / diagnosis
  • Wolman Disease / genetics