Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement
Published on: June 25, 2016
Case Report: Pediatric Thyroid Storm Presenting to the Emergency Department with Afebrile Seizure
1Los Angeles General Medical Center, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
Insights
Thyroid storm, a severe hyperthyroidism complication, can cause seizures in children. Emergency physicians should consider thyroid disease in pediatric seizure evaluations to rule out this dangerous condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Neurology
Background:
- Seizures are a frequent reason for emergency department visits, particularly in young children.
- Thyroid storm, an extreme form of hyperthyroidism, is a rare but serious cause of seizures, especially in pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of considering thyroid storm in the differential diagnosis of pediatric seizures.
- To emphasize the need for thorough evaluation of potential underlying conditions in children presenting with seizures.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 3-year-old female presenting with an afebrile seizure.
- Clinical evaluation and diagnostic workup for the underlying cause of the seizure.
Main Results:
- The patient was diagnosed with thyroid storm as the etiology for her seizure.
- This case underscores a less common but critical cause of seizures in children.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric seizures, while often benign, necessitate ruling out dangerous conditions like thyroid storm.
- Emergency physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for thyroid disease in children presenting with seizures.
Introduction:
Seizures are a common presenting complaint and account for approximately 1% of total emergency department (ED) visits. Seizures are especially common in children less than five years old as they have a lower seizure threshold as compared to adults. One potentially dangerous etiology that is far less common, especially in children, is thyroid storm, the extreme manifestation of hyperthyroidism.
Case Report:
We describe the case of a 3-year-old girl who presented to the ED with an afebrile seizure but was found to be in thyroid storm. This case should serve as a reminder for emergency physicians to consider thyroid disease when evaluating patients presenting with seizures.
Conclusion:
Although most pediatric seizures are self-limited and frequently benign, it is imperative that the emergency physician evaluate for and rule out any potentially associated dangerous conditions such as thyroid storm.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
01:27Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
01:28Graves' Disease I: Introduction
01:24Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology
01:27Goiter
01:20Seizures l: Introduction