ARTICLE TYPE : CASE REPORT
Published on : 07 Feb 2026, Volume - 2
Journal Title :
WebLog Journal of Head and Neck Surgery | WebLog J Head Neck Surg
Source URL: 
https://weblogoa.com/articles/wjhns.2026.b0701
Permanent Identifier (DOI) : 
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18688640
A Complex Pediatric Case of Pulmonary Vascular Hypertension Following Foreign Body Inhalation, Viral‑Induced Wheeze, Micronutrient Deficiencies, Immune Dysfunction and Colorectal Motility Disorder in a Toddler Simulating Status Asthmaticus
2Formerly Head, Department of Surgery at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
3J. Watumull Global Hospital & Research Centre, Delwara Road, Mount Abu, Rajasthan 307501, India Affiliated to Medical Faculty of God Fatherly Spiritual University, Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India
Abstract
Pulmonary Vascular Hypertension (PVH) in early childhood is uncommon and often overlooked when children present with acute severe wheeze. We report a complex case of a 2‑year‑old girl with colorectal motility disorder, micronutrient deficiencies, immune dysfunction, and recurrent viral‑induced wheeze who developed sudden severe respiratory distress. Her presentation mimicked status asthmaticus but was ultimately attributed to foreign body aspiration and unrecognised pulmonary vascular hypertension. Delayed diagnosis contributed to prolonged ventilatory instability, with the child responding only to muscle relaxants until the underlying pathology was identified. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by multisystem comorbidities and emphasises the importance of holistic assessment, multidisciplinary collaboration, and awareness of PVH in atypical or refractory respiratory presentations. This manuscript describes an exceptionally challenging and educational case involving a 2‑year‑old girl whose presentation mimicked status asthmaticus but was ultimately attributed to a convergence of foreign body aspiration, viral‑induced wheeze, micronutrient deficiencies, immune vulnerability, and unrecognised pulmonary vascular hypertension. The case highlights the diagnostic complexity created by multisystem comorbidities and illustrates how early assumptions can obscure life‑threatening underlying pathology.
Keywords: Pulmonary Vascular Hypertension; Foreign Body Inhalation; Viral‑Induced Wheeze; Toddler Respiratory Distress; Colorectal Motility Disorder; Micronutrient Deficiencies; Immune Deficiency; Aspiration Risk; Refractory Wheeze; Status Asthmaticus Mimic
Citation
Govani DR, Mehta AR, Midha PK, Govani ND, Panchasara NG, Patel RR, et al. A Complex Pediatric Case of Pulmonary Vascular Hypertension Following Foreign Body Inhalation, Viral-Induced Wheeze, Micronutrient Deficiencies, Immune Dysfunction and Colorectal Motility Disorder in a Toddler Simulating Status Asthmaticus. WebLog J Head Neck Surg. wjhns.2026.b0701. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18688640