Mary A., 6

Mary is the second-born child in her family. She lost her father at a young age, and her mother later abandoned her, leaving her under the care of her paternal grandmother. She lives with her grandmother and a cousin in a two-roomed mud-walled house. Her grandmother is a peasant farmer with little to no stable income, making it difficult to meet the family’s basic needs. According to her grandmother, Mary began developing body swelling, with progressive abdominal distension and rigidity. She also experienced poor appetite and difficulty passing stool. In an attempt to help her, the grandmother gave her traditional herbs, but her condition continued to worsen. Mary became increasingly weak, and her eyes turned yellow, causing great concern to the family. Worried about her deteriorating condition, her grandmother rushed her to a nearby health facility, where she was later referred to Siaya County Referral Hospital for specialized care and further management. After medical evaluation, Mary was diagnosed with severe anemia and congestive cardiac failure requiring urgent treatment and close monitoring.

Mary was brought to the hospital with complaints of abdominal pains, distended stomach and yellow eyes. She was diagnosed with severe anemia and congestive cardiac failure due the severe anemia, she was promptly admitted for management, she was transfused blood, and treated on antibiotics like ceftriaxone, dexamethasone, to which she responded. In addition to those, same drugs she was given aldacyone, empagylazine Among other drugs. She was also transfused blood, she responded well to medication and was eventually discharged on orals, with a follow up clinic set up two weeks .

The prognosis for a 6-year-old with severe anemia and Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF) is serious but often manageable with timely intervention. In many cases, addressing the underlying cause—often malaria, sickle cell disease, or severe iron deficiency—can lead to a full recovery of heart function. Mary received prompt treatment including a blood transfusion, her underlying infections leading to jaundice were managed and she is expected to make a full recovery.