What symptom was reported by a 5-year-old with sickle cell disease who possibly has rib infarction?

In a 5-year-old with sickle cell disease, rib infarction is a significant concern due to the disease's impact on blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues. When sickle-shaped cells occlude blood vessels, it can lead to tissue ischemia and infarction, particularly in areas rich in bone marrow, such as the ribs.

Severe chest pain is a common presentation associated with rib infarction. The pain is often acute and can be sharp or stabbing, reflecting the underlying ischemia of the rib bone or associated muscle tissues. This symptom is especially critical in sickle cell patients, who are at risk for complications such as acute chest syndrome, which can present similarly but involves pulmonary symptoms.

While persistent cough, severe abdominal pain, and joint pain can occur in sickle cell disease, these symptoms are generally not indicative of rib infarction specifically. Cough can arise from pulmonary complications, abdominal pain might relate to splenic involvement or vaso-occlusive crises in the abdomen, and joint pain usually results from sickle cell crises affecting the joints. Thus, the hallmark symptom that stands out for rib infarction in this context is indeed severe chest pain.