What’s Your Diagnosis? Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease

Welcome to this month’s What’s Your Diagnosis Challenge!

But before we begin, check to see if you got the previous case on Emergency Department Management of Acute Scrotal Pain in Pediatric Patients right.

Case Presentation: Emergency Department Management of Acute Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Complications 

A 15-year-old boy with sickle cell disease presents with cough, congestion, and fever… 

• The boy’s symptoms have progressed over 2 days, with a temperature of 38.9°C starting 1 hour ago. 
• The boy’s vital signs are: heart rate, 120 beats/min; respiratory rate, 29 breaths/min; and oxygen saturation, 88% on room air. Auscultation reveals decreased breath sounds in the right lower lobe. Chest x-ray shows a right lower lobe infiltrate. You place the boy on nasal cannula for oxygen support. 
• What is the differential diagnosis? How should you manage this patient? 

Make your best guess, and check back next month for the case conclusion!

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