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Wernicke's encephalopathy in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1993 Aug; 15(3):331-4.AJ

Abstract

PURPOSE

We describe the case of a 9-year-old boy who developed Wernicke's encephalopathy while receiving chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

After suffering anorexia for 4 weeks following chemotherapy, he exhibited nystagmus and ataxia. Symptoms rapidly worsened following an increased glucose load, and included a depressed consciousness, irregular respiration, and ophthalmoplegia. The serum thiamine level was 9 ng/ml (normal: 20-50). Cranial computed tomography (CT) revealed a low density area bilaterally at the neostriatum. Thiamine 100 mg/day was administered intravenously.

RESULTS

The patient's neurological signs improved dramatically. However, he subsequently developed pancytopenia and died of pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

The possibility of Wernicke's encephalopathy should be considered in children who are receiving chemotherapy for malignant disease when a persistent loss of appetite is followed by such neurological symptoms as nystagmus and ataxia.

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Miyajima Y
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Medical Center, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital, Japan.
Fukuda M
No affiliation info available
Kojima S
No affiliation info available
Matsuyama T
No affiliation info available
Shylaja N
No affiliation info available
Aso K
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AnorexiaChildHumansMalePrecursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-LymphomaThiamineThiamine DeficiencyTomography, X-Ray ComputedWernicke Encephalopathy

Pub Type(s)

Case Reports
Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

8328648

Citation

Miyajima, Y, et al. "Wernicke's Encephalopathy in a Child With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia." The American Journal of Pediatric Hematology/oncology, vol. 15, no. 3, 1993, pp. 331-4.
Miyajima Y, Fukuda M, Kojima S, et al. Wernicke's encephalopathy in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1993;15(3):331-4.
Miyajima, Y., Fukuda, M., Kojima, S., Matsuyama, T., Shylaja, N., & Aso, K. (1993). Wernicke's encephalopathy in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The American Journal of Pediatric Hematology/oncology, 15(3), 331-4.
Miyajima Y, et al. Wernicke's Encephalopathy in a Child With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1993;15(3):331-4. PubMed PMID: 8328648.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Wernicke's encephalopathy in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. AU - Miyajima,Y, AU - Fukuda,M, AU - Kojima,S, AU - Matsuyama,T, AU - Shylaja,N, AU - Aso,K, PY - 1993/8/1/pubmed PY - 1993/8/1/medline PY - 1993/8/1/entrez SP - 331 EP - 4 JF - The American journal of pediatric hematology/oncology JO - Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol VL - 15 IS - 3 N2 - PURPOSE: We describe the case of a 9-year-old boy who developed Wernicke's encephalopathy while receiving chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: After suffering anorexia for 4 weeks following chemotherapy, he exhibited nystagmus and ataxia. Symptoms rapidly worsened following an increased glucose load, and included a depressed consciousness, irregular respiration, and ophthalmoplegia. The serum thiamine level was 9 ng/ml (normal: 20-50). Cranial computed tomography (CT) revealed a low density area bilaterally at the neostriatum. Thiamine 100 mg/day was administered intravenously. RESULTS: The patient's neurological signs improved dramatically. However, he subsequently developed pancytopenia and died of pneumonia. CONCLUSION: The possibility of Wernicke's encephalopathy should be considered in children who are receiving chemotherapy for malignant disease when a persistent loss of appetite is followed by such neurological symptoms as nystagmus and ataxia. SN - 0192-8562 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/8328648/Wernicke's_encephalopathy_in_a_child_with_acute_lymphoblastic_leukemia_ L2 - http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=linkout&SEARCH=8328648.ui DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -