title: Botulism with Unusual Rapid Progression to Complete Paralysis in a Child.
abstract: Botulism is a severe neuroparalytic illness which is difficult to diagnose accurately, especially in children. We report a child with type A botulism intoxication, with very rapid progression to coma-like consciousness and respiratory failure. Careful physical examinations led to the suspicion of botulism, and electrophysiologic examinations, including electroencephalogram and repetitive nerve stimulation tests, further supported the diagnosis. Hospitalization due to botulism had a great emotional impact on the patient and psychological support was crucial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hui-Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: wen.chen.liang@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Wen-Chen
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Po-Ching
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jong-Hau
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Tsuan
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yuh-Jyh
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jong
mesh_terms: D001906:Botulism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010243:Paralysis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Clostridium botulinum; food-borne botulism; paralysis