Acute cholecystitis in a child with scarlet fever: A rare association

Abstract

Group A streptococcal infection is common in children; however, scarlet fever is now considered rare except for isolated outbreaks. One of the rarest complications of scarlet fever is acute cholecystitis – very few cases have been reported in the literature. A 5-year-old boy was admitted with scarlet fever complicated by acute cholecystitis. Clinical examination along with ultrasound of the abdomen confirmed the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis associated with scarlet fever. The patient was managed conservatively with broad-spectrum antibiotics and was discharged home successfully. Acute cholecystitis should be suspected as a rare complication of scarlet fever presenting with an acute abdomen.