Mahmud S., 11

Mahmud is a young boy, the fourth child in his family, living in a low-income household where his parents work as local dry cleaners. He attends Sa’adatu Primary School and enjoys playing football, where he is known for his skill. He hopes to become a police officer in the future. He developed abdominal swelling, poor sleep, and reduced appetite over 8 weeks. Due to financial difficulties, his parents initially used traditional remedies without improvement. He was later taken to the hospital through a charity program, where evaluation revealed hepatomegaly, and he was diagnosed with hepatic schistosomiasis.

Hepatic schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that affects the liver, leading to inflammation, enlargement, and in chronic cases, fibrosis and portal hypertension. It commonly occurs in children exposed to contaminated water and may present with abdominal swelling, poor appetite, and general weakness, as seen in this patient. With appropriate antiparasitic treatment and supportive care, the condition can be effectively managed, especially when identified early. Prognosis is generally good with treatment, but delayed care may result in progressive liver damage and long-term complications.