Leech in the Rectum Causing Lower GI Bleeding in a Four Years Old Child: A Case Report
Case report published in Ethiop J Health Sci (2020)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Leeches belong to a group of annelids of the class Hirudinea which are blood feeding ecto-parasites of humans, wild animals and domesticated animals. A leech can suck out as much blood as ten times its own weight. Leech can occur at different sites in humans commonly in the eyes, nasopharynx, larynx, urethra, and vagina and rarely in the rectum. CASE DETAILS: This is a four years old male child who presented with painless, bright red rectal bleeding for two weeks. Heamatocrit was 9.2%. Leech was removed from the rectum by letting the child sit on a bucket of water. The patient was transfused, followed for 24 hours and discharged with iron sulphate syrup. CONCLUSION: Leech infestation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a child presenting with hematochezia.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Case report of a 4-year-old child with lower GI bleeding caused by a leech in the rectum. Documents diagnostic workup, removal, and outcome.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este caso clínico describe a un niño de 4 años que presentó dos semanas de rectorragia indolora de sangre roja brillante con un hematocrito del 9,2 %, del cual se retiró una sanguijuela haciendo que el niño se sentara sobre un balde de agua; el paciente fue transfundido y dado de alta con suplementación de hierro. Los autores recomiendan considerar la infestación por sanguijuelas en el diagnóstico diferencial de la hematoquecia pediátrica. Este artículo documenta parasitismo rectal patogénico por sanguijuelas, no hirudoterapia terapéutica ni terapéuticos derivados de sanguijuelas, y por tanto no tiene relevancia directa en el ámbito de ASH.
Citación
Leech in the Rectum Causing Lower GI Bleeding in a Four Years Old Child: A Case Report.
Tilahun T et al. · Ethiopian journal of health sciences, 2020
Contexto clínico relacionado
Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica
Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026