Ileal perforation and psychosis in a 19-year-old haemoglobin sc patient: A case report

Abstract

Ileal perforation is a fatal surgical complication of typhoid fever. Acute psychosis occurring together
with perforation presents a fatal outlook. This is made worse by these patients presenting late for
appropriate intervention.
A patient with sickle cell disease in addition to ileal perforation and psychosis presents a clinical picture
the outcome of which is unpredictable. It could occasionally cause diagnostic dilemma and a great
clinical challenge.
Typhoid fever, a bacterial disease of low-income countries could be prevented by an improvement in
the socioeconomic conditions of the people. This will prevent or reduce to the barest minimum the
occurrence of these fatal outcomes associated with its complications.
This is the case report of a 19-year-old Haemoglobin SC (HbSC) with ileal perforation and acute
psychosis.

Key Message- Occurrence of Psychosis and ileal perforation increases morbidity and mortality in typhoid
fever. It is worse when they occur in a sickler.