Acute Abdomen Revealing Abdominal Tuberculosis in a 9 Years Old Child

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health problem. Abdominal localization is relatively rare in our country. What makes diagnosis even more difficult is the diversity of clinical symptoms and the different modes of onset: acute, sub-acute or chronic. Case-report: A 9-year-old child with no previous pathological history presented to the paediatric emergency department of the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech with an acute abdomen. On clinical examination, we noted generalized abdominal tenderness and fever. Abdominal ultrasound showed a small amount of ascites associated with multiple lymph nodes. On surgical exploration, the peritoneum was inflamed and granular. The diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis (ATB) was based on GeneXpert positivity in the peritoneal biopsy fragment. Conclusion: Diagnosis of ATB should be considered in children with abdominal pain, particularly in endemic areas. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.