Related Experiment Videos
Heat stroke in familial dysautonomia
Irit Tirosh1, Vered Hoffer, Yaron Finkelstein
1Department of Pediatrics B, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Pediatric Neurology
|October 29, 2003
Summary
A child with familial dysautonomia developed heat stroke with severe symptoms including high fever and encephalopathy. Impaired autonomic function may increase heat stroke risk in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Autonomic Nervous System Disorders
- Environmental Medicine
Background:
- Familial dysautonomia is a rare genetic disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system.
- Autonomic dysfunction can impair thermoregulation, increasing susceptibility to environmental stressors.
- Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition characterized by elevated body temperature and central nervous system dysfunction.
Observation:
- A 14-month-old female with familial dysautonomia presented with severe hyperthermia (41.6°C), vomiting, and watery diarrhea.
- Encephalopathy developed rapidly, indicated by altered mental status.
- Laboratory findings showed significant elevations in muscle and liver enzymes, including creatine kinase (28,420 U/L), lactate dehydrogenase (3500 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (640 U/L), and alanine aminotransferase (320 U/L).
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with heat stroke.
- The clinical presentation and laboratory results were consistent with severe heat-induced illness.
- The case highlights a potential link between autonomic dysfunction and heat stroke susceptibility.
Implications:
- Impaired autonomic nervous system function may represent a significant risk factor for heat stroke in pediatric patients.
- Early recognition and management of heat stroke are crucial, especially in children with underlying conditions affecting thermoregulation.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms linking dysautonomia and heat stroke risk.