Hot Seat #264: Acute or Chronic?
Posted on: October 12, 2026, by : Brittany Fitzpatrick
Case by Brittany Fitzpatrick, CNH PEM Fellow
8yo F w/ PMH of chronic active EBV (CAEBV) complicated by HLH, s/p BMT complicated by EBV-related relapse and GVHD, now presenting with acute on chronic abdominal pain. Mom says patient has had waxing and waning abdominal pain for years since BMT, but it has acutely worsened this week, currently rated as 8/10 in severity. Reported a fever (100.8) 6 days ago which resolved with Tylenol, and one episode of NBNB emesis yesterday. Mom notes her face looks more yellow than normal. Also reports a dry cough for 1 week with intermittent chest pain. Denies sick contacts at home or known sick contacts at school. No recent travel, no new foods, but endorses decreased appetite yesterday. BMs have been normal, brown in appearance, no diarrhea. Mom has given Tylenol for pain and fever, denies any daily medications (off immunosuppression x1 year).
No known allergies, no daily medications (history of prior iron supplementation), IUTD
Physical Exam:
VS: T 36.8 HR 102 RR 24 BP 111/70 SpO2: 100%
General: Sitting up, cooperative, smiling, no acute distress
Skin: Scattered areas of hyperpigmentation from healed rash and lesions. No erythematous or new rash. Mild facial jaundice
HEENT: Normocephalic, atraumatic, no scleral icterus
Neck: Supple
CV: Regular rate and rhythm. Normal peripheral perfusion, distal pulses intact
Resp: Intermittent cough, no wheezing, lungs clear to auscultation, no crackles
GI: Epigastric and periumbilical tenderness to palpation. No hepatosplenomegaly
MSK: Moves all extremities, no joint swelling
Neuro: No focal deficits
Lab results:
WBC 8.9, Hgb 8.3 (baseline 11), Hct 23.7 Platelets 254
RVP: R/E+
Creatinine 0.97 (baseline 0.3), BUN 19
Normal AST/ALT
Lipase 53
Awaiting patient to urinate
Chest XR obtained
CXR: Streaky middle lobe airspace opacity with partial silhouetting right heart border may represent mild atelectatic changes but superimposed infection cannot be excluded in appropriate clinical setting.
After consulting with BMT, they report that these symptoms are not consistent with GVHD or other BMT complications and are reassured that she has been off immunosuppression for 1.5 years.
Renal Ultrasound:
Bilateral echogenic kidneys concerning for medical renal disease. No hydronephrosis
Urine obtained
UA: 1+ glucose, 3+ blood, 2+ protein, Trace LE, WBC 4, RBC 230
