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Critical Illness Polyneuropathy in a Child: A Case Report
Shiji Chalipat1, Jyothsna Sree Madala2, Sanjay Chavan2
1Pediatric Neurology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be University), Pune, IND.
Insights
Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy are often missed in children requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Early recognition and supportive care are crucial for recovery in pediatric intensive care unit patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Neurology
- Intensive care unit management
Background:
- Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) and myopathy (CIM) are significant complications in critically ill children.
- These conditions are often underdiagnosed, particularly in those with prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stays and mechanical ventilation.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old boy with pneumococcal meningoencephalitis, severe sepsis, and multiorgan dysfunction developed quadriparesis and areflexia.
- The patient required extended mechanical ventilation, sedation, and inotropic support, with multiple extubation failures.
Findings:
- Electrophysiology confirmed CIP, specifically acute motor and sensory axonal polyneuropathy.
- Elevated muscle enzymes were noted, indicating muscle involvement.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of suspecting CIP/CIM in critically ill children.
- Prompt diagnosis and comprehensive management, including physiotherapy, can lead to improved outcomes, as demonstrated by the patient's recovery.
Abstract:
Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) and myopathy (CIM) are underreported conditions in critically ill children with prolonged intensive care unit stays and mechanical ventilation. We report a case of a 10-year-old boy with pneumococcal meningoencephalitis with severe sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction. The child required prolonged ventilation, sedation, and inotropic support. He had repeated extubation failures and the development of quadriparesis with areflexia. Electrophysiology studies were consistent with CIP with acute motor and sensory axonal polyneuropathy and elevated muscle enzymes. He was treated with supportive measures and physiotherapy along with management of the underlying condition. He recovered slowly over 68 days with a good recovery with a modified Rankin's scale score of 4 on discharge. There is a need to pay attention to all critically ill children and should have a high index of suspicion for the development of CIP/CIM which can have an impact on course and outcome.
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