title: Complications of polycythemia in patients who have cyanotic congenital heart disease.
abstract: A 13-mo-old child is brought to his pediatrician following sudden onset of left-sided hemiplegia. The pediatrician accompanies the child and family to the emergency room. The pediatrician has been following the child, who has a diagnosis of possible cyanotic congenital heart disease. The child has never been known to have had a hypercyanotic episode. Oxygen saturation determinations by pulsed oximeter had been in the range of 84% to 88%. On one occasion, when the child was very upset, a reading of 78% was observed. At his 1-year visit, his hemoglobin level was 13 g/dL. On admission to the emergency department, a computed tomographic scan of the head was ordered. It demonstrated a right-sided nonhemorrhagic cerebrovascular lesion.
authors: W B
authors: WB
authors: Strong
mesh_terms: D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D010100:Oxygen