Gibson O., 15

Gibson is a 9-year-old Grade Four pupil who lives with his father and five siblings following his mother’s death when the youngest child was two months old. The family lives in a two-room mud house without electricity and walks over 30 minutes to obtain water. His father is the sole provider, earning about KSh 2,000 monthly from washing clothes whenever work is available. The family frequently struggles to afford food, schooling and healthcare. Despite this, Gibson enjoys reading and football and dreams of becoming a doctor. Gibson developed a five-day history of frequent bloody and mucoid diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, repeated vomiting, fever and poor oral intake. He progressively became extremely weak and lethargic. In the 24 hours before admission, he developed intense thirst, markedly reduced urine output and increasing drowsiness. On arrival, he was seriously ill, with sunken eyes, dry mucous membranes and poor skin turgor. Investigations confirmed severe dehydration secondary to amoebic dysentery. Unable to meet the treatment costs, his family was referred to Helpster Charity Foundation for assistance with his inpatient care.

Gibson, aged 9, was admitted with severe dehydration caused by amoebic dysentery. The first step in treatment was to replace the lost fluids and salts using oral rehydration solution (ORS) or intravenous (IV) fluids because of the severity of the dehydration. He was also closely monitored for his temperature, pulse, breathing, urine output, and level of hydration. After he became stable, Gibson was given anti-amoebic medicine, such as metronidazole, to treat the amoebic infection. He was encouraged to drink plenty of clean fluids, eat light and nutritious meals as tolerated, and maintain good personal hygiene to prevent the spread of infection. Health education was also provided to the caregiver on safe drinking water, handwashing, and proper sanitation. Following treatment, Gibson's condition improved steadily. His dehydration was corrected, the diarrhoea gradually stopped, and his strength and appetite returned. He was discharged in stable condition with instructions to complete his medication, continue drinking enough fluids, eat a balanced diet, and attend follow-up care if symptoms returned.

Gibson presented with severe dehydration secondary to amoebic dysentery, following several days of bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and poor oral intake. His lethargy, reduced urine output and clinical signs of significant fluid loss indicated a potentially serious illness requiring urgent inpatient management. Without timely fluid replacement and treatment of the underlying infection, he was at risk of electrolyte disturbances, acute kidney injury, shock and other complications. With appropriate rehydration, medication and close monitoring, his prognosis is favourable, provided he continues to respond well to treatment.