Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a Ghanaian child

Ghana Med J. 2012 Dec;46(4):254-7.

Abstract

We report a case of a previously well nine-month-old infant who presented with prolonged fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. A diagnosis of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) was made during the course of hospital admission. There was good initial response to dexamethasone but the patient died less than two months after diagnosis. This is the first report of HLH from Ghana. The disease has a significant mortality rate if untreated and a high index of suspicion is required in all severely ill children.

Keywords: Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; children; dexamethasone; hyperinflammation; pancytopenia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Diarrhea / etiology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fever / etiology
  • Ghana
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / complications*
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / diagnosis*
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / drug therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Splenomegaly / etiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Dexamethasone