Key Clinical Message:
Factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency, though rare, should be considered in pediatric patients with unexplained abdominal pain, vomiting, anemia, and abnormal clotting. Prompt diagnosis enables non-surgical management with FXIII replacement, mitigating potential complications. Clinicians must include this condition in the differential diagnosis for effective patient care.
In the pediatric age group, FXIII deficiency can present as abnormal or delayed bleeding from the umbilical stump, soft tissue and subcutaneous bleeding, intracerebral hemorrhages, intra-oral bleeding, and poor wound healing. This case report describes an atypical presentation of FXIII deficiency in a 3-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain and vomiting. She was managed conservatively under the care of the pediatric surgery team.