TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Case Study 5 A1 - Nelson, Lewis S. A1 - Howland, Mary Ann A1 - Lewin, Neal A. A1 - Smith, Silas W. A1 - Goldfrank, Lewis R. A1 - Hoffman, Robert S. PY - 2019 T2 - Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 11e AB - HistoryParents called 911 because they found their 5-year-old girl at home unresponsive. Shortly before emergency medical services (EMS) arrived, the girl had a witnessed self-limited convulsion that the parents described as the sudden onset of unresponsiveness with repetitive shaking and urinary incontinence. When EMS arrived, she was no longer shaking but could not be awoken. The paramedics recorded a respiratory rate of 30 breaths/min with a pulse of 150 beats/min and a point-of-care glucose of 122 mg/dL. They administered oxygen via nasal cannula and transported her to the emergency department (ED).On arrival at the hospital, the parents reported that the child had no significant past medical history, had a pediatrician, was current with all vaccinations, and was not taking any prescription medications. Although she had a mild cough and nasal congestion, she was able to attend kindergarten the previous day. As further history was being obtained, the child began to shake repetitively once again.Physical ExaminationThe child was attached to continuous cardiac monitoring, and repeat vital signs were as follows: blood pressure, 108/80 mm Hg; pulse, 155 beats/min; respiratory rate, 32 breaths/min; rectal temperature, 99.4oF (37.4°C); oxygen saturation, 100% on a 100% nonrebreather face mask; and glucose, 143 mg/dL. Physical examination revealed a normal head without signs of trauma, pupils that were 4 to 5 mm and reactive, a clear chest, normal heart sounds, a soft abdomen with normal bowel sounds, and skin that was without rashes or other abnormalities. The child was still not verbal but appeared to localize pain and moved all extremities, and she had normal muscle tone.Immediate ManagementThe child was given an intramuscular injection of lorazepam (2 mg; 0.1 mg/kg for an estimated weight of 20 kg) while an intravenous (IV) line was being inserted. Within a few moments, the shaking stopped. Blood samples were sent for a complete blood count and electrolytes and an electrocardiogram (ECG) were ordered. The patient began to seize again, for which IV lorazepam (2 mg) was given with nearly an immediate response. Repeat vital signs and physical examination were essentially unchanged.What Is the Differential Diagnosis?In addition to idiopathic epilepsy, trauma, infections, and structural brain lesions, seizures can result from both exposure to countless xenobiotics as well as withdrawal. In most instances, seizures are usually single and either self-limited or respond easily to an appropriate dose of a benzodiazepine. This child had three seizures in a brief period of time without regaining consciousness, which meets one of the criteria for status epilepticus. Although seizures are common, status epilepticus is rare, thereby narrowing the differential diagnosis to xenobiotics found in Table CS5–1.Several features distinguish toxic–metabolic seizures from idiopathic epilepsy. With few exceptions, toxic–metabolic seizures often fail to respond to phenytoin. Phenytoin either has no efficacy or is actually detrimental in diverse or toxic–metabolic-induced convulsions associated with alcohol withdrawal, theophylline, cyclic antidepressants, antiepileptics, and cocaine. Conceptually, phenytoin fails because its ability to prevent secondary generalization of a focal seizure in idiopathic epilepsy is lost in toxic–metabolic etiologies where many areas of the brain are likely reaching ... SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1163016832 ER -