Features of the community–acquired pneumonia in a child with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome: case-report and mini-review

Abstract

Introduction. The Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is a rare and severe disease that occurs in children in the presence of a large-sized hemangioma, accompanied by coagulation disorders. This disease complicates the course of many somatic diseases in children, including community-acquired pneumonia, due to the clotting disorder. Case presentation. A case of a 4.5-month-old child with a combination of capillary hemangioma of the dextral chest surface, complicated by Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, and community-acquired right-sided focal pneumonia is presented. The possible effect of the Kasabach-Merritt syndrome on the course of community-acquired pneumonia has been analyzed. Additionally, the drugs’ effect on the coagulation disorder, the state of hemangioma, and the course of community-acquired pneumonia in children have been investigated. Conclusions. Severe coagulation disorders may occur in patients with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome and community-acquired pneumonia. Constant monitoring is essential during hospitalization. Such combination of diseases should be treated considering the ability of the drugs to influence both the hemostasis system and the progression of hemangioma’s growth.

Keywords

• Kasabach-Merritt syndrome
• hemangioma
• community-acquired pneumonia
• children
• clotting disorder