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Acute confusional state in paediatric age - Case Report
- F. Cordeiro, T. Cartaxo, F. Reis, P. Moniz, M. Alves, C. Bayam, V. Santos
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S720
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- Article
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Introduction
Acute confusional state (ACS) or delirium is an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome due to an underlying organic pathological process. Despite its high prevalence, delirium can present a diagnostic challenge, particularly in paediatric patients. ACS can be defined as sudden impairment of mental status in a previously healthy child. The impairment varies; it may be global and severe or very specific and mild, such as impairment of short-term memory in “transient global amnesia.” The most common causes of ACS in the paediatric population are high fever, drugs, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and infection and inflammation of the nervous system. Traumatic brain injury is usually associated with some impairment of consciousness, although recovery can vary depending on the severity of the trauma.
ObjectivesThe aim of this work is to revisit the diagnostic approach and management of ACS associated with traumatic brain injury in the paediatric population.
MethodsCase report of an acute confusional state, secondary to a TBI and a non-systematic review of the literature.
ResultsA 17-year-old female was admitted to the emergency department after being injured in a car accident. She was drowsy but easily awakened. She was conscious and partially oriented in time and space. She had amnesia for the episode. She spoke fluently and coherently but was hesitant regarding the hours before the accident, which was probably due to memory impairment. She exhibited sporadic hetero-aggressive behavior during the first few hours of the examination. She had no other thought or perceptual disorders. Head CT scan showed “a thin collection of blood from the frontal interhemispheric area and a discrete subarachnoid sulcal frontobasal hemorrhage, with no other significant changes.” Toxicology tests were positive for THC, cocaine, and MDMD and negative for blood alcohol. A forensic medical examination was required. After 48 hours of vigilance and improvement, she was discharged with a booked re-evaluation within a week. At the second evaluation, her mother described a change in her usual behavior with disorientation, drowsiness, difficulty managing daily life, and memory impairment. She had persecutory delusions regarding the physicians and was very agitated. She was admitted to a child and adolescent psychiatric hospital for further evaluation and stabilization. After 72 hours of inpatient stay, she fully recovered, receiving low-dose risperidone daily. She was discharged with the diagnosis of delirium due to another medical condition (TBI), acute, hyperactive. Since discharge, symptoms have not recurred even after discontinuation of antipsychotic medication.
ConclusionsClinically, ACS can be divided into hypoactive, hyperactive, and mixed level of activity. Hyperactive forms may manifest as varying degrees of psychomotor agitation. With this case report, we’d like to raise awareness of ACS so that it’s diagnosed and treated correctly and in a timely manner.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Suicidal behavior and Autism Spectrum Disorder, what are the risk factors? – Case Report
- C. Bayam, M. Tomé, C. Pedro, F. Cordeiro, M. J. Piçarra, L. Vale
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S950-S951
-
- Article
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- You have access Access
- Open access
- Export citation
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Introduction
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in the ability to initiate and maintain social interaction, as well as a set of restricted and inflexible behavior patterns and interests. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at increased risk of suicidal behavior, including suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and death by suicide, as compared to the general population. Among the underlying causes, the co-occurrence of other psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety, is common and can contribute to the reduction of the quality of life, as well as a worse prognosis of the disease.
ObjectivesCase report and brief review of risk factors associated with suicidal behavior in individuals with ASD.
MethodsReview of the patients clinical file; Brief non-sistematic literature review of articles indexed to Pubmed with the key words: “Autism Spectrum Disorder”, “Suicide”, ”Suicidal behaviour”, ”Mood disorder”.
ResultsJ., 18 years old, male, with ASD, the best student at school, with above-average results since childhood. Two years ago he showed a non-reciprocal love interest. Since then, he has had multiple visits to the emergency department and successive hospitalizations, mostly because of mood and behaviour alterations, with suicidal ideation. After 1 month with depressive and anxious symptoms, he ended up making a suicide attempt through voluntary intoxication by prescribed medication. He was taken to the emergency room. Examination of mental status highlighted depressed mood, elevated anxiety levels, hypoprosody, and active suicidal ideation. Blood tests and CE-CT scan without changes. He was admitted in the psychiatry ward and treated with fluvoxamine, risperidone and lorazepam. He showed a good evolution of the psychopathological condition. Discharged at day 44, he was referred to a psychiatric and psychological outpatient clinics.
ConclusionsMood disorders have a significant impact on the well-being of individuals with ASD, contributing to a worse quality of life and higher suicide mortality. Cognition has been associated with different levels of death by suicide, and individuals with ASD without intellectual disability, such as this patient, are at increased risk of suicide, which may be due to a greater awareness of their own difficulties. The role of genetics has been a subject of interest. The overlap of genes strongly associated with suicidal behavior and ASD has been described. However, there is still need of large scale genetic studies, for a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms involved in this association. The identification of vulnerable individuals and early initiation of preventive and therapeutic strategies is essential to improve the prognosis of ASD.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared