Uncommon neurologic complications of burns in infants: a parkinsonian extrapyramidal disorder and massive cerebral infarction.
We report uncommon neurologic complications of moderate to severe burns in two infants aged 13 and 19 months, respectively. The first patient suffered a 25% total body surface area burn to her lower limbs; 3 days later she became mute and irritable, with increasing rigidity of limbs and trunk. Her face was expressionless and she also had mild dysphagea. Muscle-stretch reflexes were brisk and accompanied by episodes of coarse jitteriness. A diagnosis of an extrapyramidal parkinsonian disorder was made. The infant was treated with amantadine hydrochloride, and she recovered completely over a period of 2 months. The second infant was admitted with an extensive burn to his trunk and limbs; 3 days later he became comatose and had intractable seizures, which were more prominent over his right side. Dysphasia and right-sided hemiplegia became apparent; these conditions were and remained permanent, accompanied by focal seizures and a marked cognitive delay. Although relatively uncommon, central nervous system involvement may be a hazardous complication of burns in infants, who thus represent a high-risk group.
Shahar
E
E
Child Neurology Unit, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Keidan
I
I
Brand
N
N
Frand
M
M
Barzilay
Z
Z
D000547:Amantadine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001830:Body Surface Area; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology*
D000547:Amantadine