CONGENITAL ISOLATED ASPLENIA AND SUDDEN INFANT DEATH: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

We report the case of a 10-month-old infant, with no
notable medical history, who quickly died a few hours
after his hospitalization for fever and altered state of
consciousness of sudden onset. A forensic autopsy was performed and revealed petechial lesions of the face, bilateral adrenal hemorrhage, the spleen was not identified,the
absence of malformation, visceral congestion. After histological and toxicological examinations, death was attributed to septic shock.
Congenital asplenia is often associated with visceral malformations especially cardiovascular. The isolated form is
very rare. The diagnosis of isolated asplenia is often late,
on the occasion of severe infections. Sometimes the diagnosis is done after death at autopsy.