Sporadic Burkitt Lymphoma Presenting as Refractory Iron-Deficiency Anemia in a Three-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report

Burkitt lymphoma is a highly aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that most commonly presents in children with extranodal abdominal disease. Although the diagnosis is often prompted by gastrointestinal symptoms or a palpable abdominal mass, early manifestations may be subtle and nonspecific, delaying recognition. We present the case of a three-year-old boy who was initially evaluated during a routine well-child visit for short stature and found to have microcytic anemia consistent with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). Eight days after initiating appropriate iron supplementation, he subsequently developed jaundice, a palpable abdominal mass, and progressive clinical decline. Further evaluation with imaging revealed multiple intraabdominal masses, and tissue biopsy confirmed sporadic Burkitt lymphoma with extensive intraabdominal involvement. This case highlights the importance of ongoing clinical reassessment and careful physical examination when patients fail to respond as expected to standard therapy, as seemingly common pediatric conditions may represent the earliest manifestations of an underlying malignancy.