Abstract
We present a developmentally appropriate adolescent boy who presented with upper and lower extremity glove-and-stocking paresthesias, distal weakness, vertigo, high-pitched voice, inattention, ataxia, and binocular diplopia after a voluntary 59-kg weight loss over 5 months. CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS: Extensive investigations revealed serum thiamine levels <2 nmol/L. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed symmetric abnormal T2 prolongation of the mammillary bodies. Nerve conduction studies were consistent with axonal, length-dependent polyneuropathy. Together, these findings were diagnostic for peripheral polyneuropathy and Wernicke encephalopathy secondary to thiamine deficiency. CONCLUSION: This patient illustrates that eating disorders can be an uncommon cause of rapidly progressive paresthesias, weakness, and neurological decline due to thiamine deficiency.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 100-103 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Pediatric Neurology |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2014 |
Keywords
- Wernicke encephalopathy
- anorexia nervosa
- dry beriberi
- paresthesias
- peripheral polyneuropathy
- thiamine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Neurology
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurology