salicylates and Inappropriate-ADH-Syndrome

Altered level of consciousness describes the reason for 3% of critical emergency department (ED) visits. Approximately 85% will be found to have a metabolic or systemic cause. Early laboratory studies such as a bedside glucose test, serum electrolytes, or a urine dipstick test often direct the ED provider toward endocrine or metabolic causes. This article examines common endocrine and metabolic causes of altered mentation in the ED via sections dedicated to endocrine-, electrolyte-, metabolic acidosis-, and metabolism-related causes.

Topics: Acidosis; Aged; Child; Consciousness Disorders; Cushing Syndrome; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Ethylene Glycol; Female; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Humans; Hyperammonemia; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome; Metabolic Diseases; Methanol; Pregnancy; Salicylates; Thyroid Diseases; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance

Acute percutaneous salicylate intoxication is a rare event in children but can happen with a skin disease where salicylic acid, used as a keratolytic ointment, can be absorbed transcutaneously. Until now, few cases of transcutaneous salicylate intoxication have been reported in the literature. Our case report is about a 5-year-old girl with lamellar ichthyosis and an acute salicylate transcutaneous intoxication after the application of a skin ointment. The child had a fever, hyperpnoea with respiratory alkalosis, comatose state and oculogyric crisis. We would like to emphasize the danger of applying salicylic acid in children with extensive skin diseases and, therefore, it is advisable to measure the plasma salicylic levels so as to prevent eventual salicylate toxicity.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Alkalosis, Respiratory; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Ichthyosis, Lamellar; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome; Keratolytic Agents; Ointments; Salicylates; Salicylic Acid