Venous stroke and status epilepticus due to milk-induced anemia in a child

Leslie Finkel, Juan Piantino, Joshua Goldstein, Mark S. Wainwright

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The risk factors for cerebral sinus venous thrombosis include dehydration, infection, and anemia. The clinical presentation in children of venous strokes associated with cerebral venous thrombosis is variable and may include seizures. Acute management should focus on the treatment of the primary cause and anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy if needed. Early recognition and targeted treatment is important because survivors are at increased risk for long-term neurologic complications. We report a case of a 4-year-old girl who presented with status epilepticus and was subsequently found to have a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in the transverse and sigmoid sinus, with venous infarction in the temporal lobe. Laboratory results were significant for a microcytic anemia caused by excessive milk intake. Although iron deficiency anemia is a common pediatric disorder, this uncommon presentation demonstrates the potential for neurologic complications secondary to anemia, as well as the need for a high index of suspicion in order to identify venous stroke as a cause in children who present to the emergency department with seizures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)129-131
Number of pages3
JournalPediatric emergency care
Volume31
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 13 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anemia
  • Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis
  • Status epilepticus
  • Stroke

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Emergency Medicine

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