Cerebral infarction in a child with congenital adrenal hyperplasia presenting as acute encephalitis syndrome

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is an inherited abnormality of steroid synthesis. It is usually diagnosed in the early neonatal period. Its association with white matter abnormalities in the developing brain has been reported. Cerebral infarction is one of the rarely associated complications of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Saugata Acharyya, Kakoli Acharyya, Arnab Haldar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
Series:Journal of Pediatric Critical Care
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jpcc.org.in/article.asp?issn=2349-6592;year=2021;volume=8;issue=1;spage=31;epage=34;aulast=Acharyya
Description
Summary:Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is an inherited abnormality of steroid synthesis. It is usually diagnosed in the early neonatal period. Its association with white matter abnormalities in the developing brain has been reported. Cerebral infarction is one of the rarely associated complications of classical CAH. A 5-year-old child had presented with features of acute onset fever, refractory new-onset seizure, and altered sensorium. He was a known case of CAH, on regular exogenous steroid supplementation. Investigations revealed that he had extensive hemorrhagic cerebral infarction. No underlying infective or vascular cause could be detected to explain the etiology of cerebral infarction in this child. Hence, the effect of CAH on the developing brain and an inadequate escalation of steroid dose during stress have led to the cerebral infarction.
ISSN:2349-6592
2455-7099