A 17-Year-Old Boy With High-Functioning Autism, Gastrointestinal Illness, and Seizures

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pediatrics
• Endocrinology

Background:

• A 17-year-old male with high-functioning pervasive developmental disorder presented with seizure-like activity.
• The patient had presumed viral gastroenteritis, a common condition in adolescents.

Observation:

• Neurological deficits including facial droop, ptosis, and expressive aphasia developed rapidly.
• Severe hyponatremia with serum sodium of 119 mmol/L was identified as a critical laboratory finding.

Findings:

• The patient's neurological symptoms resolved spontaneously with electrolyte management.
• Abdominal tenderness with rebound suggested an underlying intra-abdominal process, potentially contributing to or exacerbated by hyponatremia.

Implications:

• This case underscores the critical link between electrolyte balance, particularly sodium levels, and neurological function in adolescents.
• Prompt recognition and management of hyponatremia are essential for preventing severe neurological complications.
• The presentation highlights the need for comprehensive evaluation, including abdominal assessment, in patients with unexplained neurological symptoms and electrolyte disturbances.