Faith N., 10

Faith is a 10-year-old girl from a severely disadvantaged socio-economic background. Her family struggles daily to afford basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare. Despite these challenges, Faith is a bright, disciplined, and hopeful child. She enjoys reading novels, which allow her to imagine a future beyond her current circumstances. She dreams of becoming a healthcare professional so she can one day serve and uplift her community. Recently, Faith became acutely unwell and required urgent medical attention. Her family later learned about Helpster Charity through a community member who had previously benefited from the organization’s medical support. They were informed that Helpster assists vulnerable families who cannot afford essential medical care, and this gave them hope during a very distressing time. Faith was brought to the hospital by her mother with a 24-hour history of severe upper abdominal pain and progressive swelling in the epigastric region. Her mother explained that for several months, Faith had a small swelling along the upper midline of her abdomen that would become noticeable when she coughed or strained but would reduce spontaneously. However, a day before admission, the swelling became acutely painful, tense, and could no longer be pushed back in. She began experiencing persistent sharp epigastric pain, accompanied by nausea and multiple episodes of non-bilious vomiting. Since the onset of severe pain, she had not passed stool or flatus. There was no history of trauma. On examination, Faith appeared acutely ill and in marked painful distress. She was mildly dehydrated, with dry mucous membranes, and remained still to minimize discomfort. Abdominal assessment revealed a firm, tender swelling measuring approximately 4 cm in diameter in the epigastric region along the linea alba. The mass was irreducible, tense, and extremely tender to touch, with redness and warmth over the overlying skin. There was no cough impulse. The remainder of the abdomen was mildly distended with generalized tenderness, though there were no overt signs of peritonitis at the time of examination. Bowel sounds were reduced. These findings were consistent with a strangulated epigastric hernia, raising concern for compromised bowel. A diagnosis of strangulated epigastric hernia with suspected bowel involvement was made, and Faith was promptly prepared for emergency surgical intervention. Although the surgery was successful, her family is unable to meet the hospital and medication costs due to extreme financial hardship. They are now seeking assistance from Helpster Charity to clear the outstanding bills and ensure Faith’s full recovery and continued medical care.

Faith presented with severe epigastric pain and a previously reducible midline swelling that had become acutely painful, tense, and irreducible. She had nausea, non-bilious vomiting, and no stool or flatus since pain onset. Examination showed a tender, firm 4 cm epigastric mass with overlying erythema and warmth. No cough impulse. Abdomen was mildly distended with reduced bowel sounds — consistent with strangulated epigastric hernia. She was diagnosed with suspected bowel compromise, resuscitated with IV fluids, kept nil per os, and given antibiotics and analgesia. Emergency surgery was planned. She stabilized, recovered well, and was discharged in good condition.

Faith presented with classical signs of a strangulated epigastric hernia. The swelling had become acutely painful, tense, and irreducible, with associated vomiting and failure to pass stool or flatus — all concerning features for bowel obstruction and vascular compromise. In cases of strangulation, the protruded intestinal segment can lose its blood supply. When blood flow is compromised, the affected intestine may become ischemic and, if not promptly relieved, may undergo necrosis. This can result in perforation of the bowel, widespread abdominal infection (peritonitis), and systemic sepsis, which are life-threatening conditions. Because Faith received urgent surgical care, her prognosis is good. If the bowel is found viable and no resection was required, she is expected to make a full recovery with appropriate postoperative monitoring, wound care, and nutritional support.