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.