OBJECTIVE

To create awareness that giardiasis can mimic acute clinical symptomatologies and result in missed diagnosis.

METHODS

The case files of four acute and life threatening presentations that were misdiagnosed initially but later found to be Giardia lamblia infestations from laboratory stool results and responded to treatment for giardiasis were reviewed.

RESULTS

One of the cases was diagnosed as food poisoning, a second as a case of hypovolemic shock and the third also as a hypovolemic shock, though also considered to have sepsis and the last, a case of acute exacerbation of asthmatic attack. Three of the cases were less than 24 months and vomiting was seen in 3 of them.

CONCLUSIONS

Giardiasis in childhood can be acute and life threatening and should be considered in such ill children, especially if they also have digestive system symptomatology.