Paralysis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Paralysis, including details on treatment, diagnosis, facial paralysis, sleep paralysis.

Acute quadriplegic myopathy in a 16-month-old child.

Iodice F, Salzano M, Prosperi M, D' Amico A, Lauri A, Bertini E

Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino, Gesu-Palidoro, Rome, Italy. francesca_iodice@yahoo.it

We present a case of a 16-month old previously healthy child who was hospitalized because of an acute respiratory insufficiency most likely caused by a viral infection and who then developed a severe acute quadriplegic myopathy (AQM). Initial clinical symptoms were respiratory acidosis, dypnea, intense wheezing, and deterioration of the level of consciousness, which required orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. We administered neuromuscular blocking agents, corticosteroids, and antibiotics. After 9 days the clinical picture improved. An attempt to wean from the ventilator failed. We diagnosed AQM. This paper discusses AQM and its clinical importance.

Published 17 June 2005 in Paediatr Anaesth, 15(7): 611-5.
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