All issues > Volume 19(2); 1976

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1976;19(2):121-127. Published online February 28, 1976.

A Clinical Study on Acute Toxic Encephalophathy

Jung Won Park¹, Joo Ryong Kim¹, Chong Moo Park¹, Ph. D.

¹Dept, of Pediatrics,College of Medicine,Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Forty-three patiente of acute toxic encephalopathy including seven cases of Reye’s syndrome who were admitted to pediatric department of Hanyang University hospital from May 1,1972 to October 31,1975 were clinically analyzed and following results were obtained. 1)Acute toxic encephalopathy was 1. 22% of total in-patient admitted at same period. 2)The peak age incidence was betwfeen 10 months and 3 years of age (60.0%). 3)The sex incidence revealed female predominance with ratio of 1 to 1. 5. 4)The peak seasonal incidence was during summer〔44. 2%). 5)The socioeconomic status of patients were mostly in low class (83.7%). 6)The residency areas of patients were around factory (69. 8%) and areas of densy crowding population (16. 2%). 7)The chief complaints on admission were unconsciousness (100%), convulsion〔77.7%), vomiting (58.3%), fever (52.7%) and dyspnea〔51.0%). 8)The prodromal symptoms were URI and diarrhea in most cases (76.7%). 9)The leukocyte count revealed mild degree of leykocytosis in majority of the patients(65.1%). 10) Biochemical findings on admission were as follows: serum GPT and blood ammonia level were elevated in all cases of Reye’s syndrome. Low blood sugar level was noted in 57. 0% of Reye’s syndrome. 11)The bacterial culture were positive in 2 cases of Reye’s syndrome, and Salmonella choleraesuis and Shigella flexneri were identified on culture respectively. 12)The treatment was supportive measures with administration of hypertonic glucose and steroid, and in some cases fresh blood transfusion was added. 13)The prognosis was as follows: 21 cases (48.8%) expired, 19 cases (44.2%) discharged against advice with or without clinical improvement, 3 cases〔7.0%) were improved clinically.

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