Citation

Lin CY, Tsau YK. Acta Paediatr. Taiwan 2005; 46(1): 39-41.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Taiwan Pediatric Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16302577

Abstract

A 4-year-8-month-old boy was brought to our emergency department with coma and seizure. Initial physical examination showed evidence of physical child abuse and sudden body weight gain of 3.4 kg in one day. The laboratory results showed normal renal function with severe hyponatremia and the MRI study showed diffuse brain swelling. All of these findings were compatible with the diagnosis of acute water intoxication. Careful history taking from the boy and his parents separately confirmed the course of chronic polydipsia with acute compulsive water drinking. After clinical assessment and follow-up by psychiatrist, the patient was diagnosed with hyperactivity disorder. We present this case and show the possibility of correlation between compulsive water drinking, child abuse and hyperactivity disorder on acute water intoxication.

Language: en