An Unusual Cause of Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Abstract

Question: An 18-year-old engineering graduate presented with complaints of recurrent bleeding per rectum since the age of 2 years. There had been bouts of fresh, painless bleeding with a sharp decline in the hemoglobin levels (the lowest level reached was 2.9 g/dL) that had required multiple blood transfusions since. He was born at full term via vaginal delivery. There was no history of neonatal sepsis, hospitalization, or umbilical vein catheterization. Neurocognitive developmental milestones were appropriate for age.