Maryam B., 11

Maryam is an active 11-year girl full of dreams. She lives with her parents in a small house in a remote village. Father is a peasant farmer, and mother is not gainfully employed. She likes going to school and dreams of becoming a teacher in the future. Maryam was apparently well until about a week ago when she developed fever and headache followed by abdominal pain and gross distension. Upon presentation at our hospital, she was carefully examined and found to be pale, tachypneic, weak, with severe abdominal tenderness/distension. Investigations revealed bowel perforation and a diagnosis of Generalized Peritonitis Secondary to Typhoid IIeal Perforation. She was prepped for urgent exploratory laparotomy and treatment.

Maryam was admitted in our facility with complaints of fever, abdominal pain an distention. After proper evaluation, she was diagnosed with generalized peritonitis Secondary to Typhoid ileal Perforation. She was resuscitated and then had surgery where the Perforation was repaired. She respondedy well to the management as her presenting symptoms subsided and postoperative period was satisfactory. She was later discharged home with oral medications following the improvement of her condition to complete her recovery and return to her normal life.

Maryam presented in a severe state and required an emergency exploration due to the Typhoid perforation. She needs emergency exploratory laparotomy to identify the area of perforation and subsequent repair. When properly and timely done she has a good chance of recovery. However, any delay or improper management can lead to the death of the patient.