Severe hypercalcemia as a form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia presentation in children.

Hypercalcemia is a rare metabolic disorder in children and is potentially fatal. It has a wide differential diagnosis, including cancer. Here, we report the case of a previously healthy 3-year-old who was admitted to the emergency room with fatigue, hyporeactivity, fever and limping gait that had evolved over 5 days and that was progressively worsening. On examination the patient was unconscious (Glasgow coma score: 8). Laboratory tests indicated severe hypercalcemia (total calcium 21.39mg/dL, ionized calcium 2.93mmol/L) and microcytic anemia. Hyperhydration was initiated, and the child was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit. Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration with calcium-free solution was instituted, which brought progressive normalization of serum calcium and an improved state of consciousness. Zoledronate was administered, and metabolic and infectious causes and poisoning were excluded. The bone marrow smear revealed a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hypercalcemia associated with malignancy in children is rare and occurs as a form of cancer presentation or recurrence. Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration should be considered in situations where there is imminent risk to life.

The effect of NaCl 0.9% and NaCl 0.45% on sodium, chloride, and acid-base balance in a PICU population.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of two intravenous maintenance fluids on plasma sodium (Na), and acid-base balance in pediatric intensive care patients during the first 24h of hospitalization. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was performed, which allocated 233 patients to groups: (A) NaCl 0.9% or (B) NaCl 0.45%. Patients were aged 1 day to 18 years, had normal electrolyte concentrations, and suffered an acute insult (medical/surgical). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURED: change in plasma sodium. Parametric tests: t-tests, ANOVA, X(2) statistical significance level was set at α=0.05. RESULTS: Group A (n=130): serum Na increased by 2.91 (±3.9)mmol/L at 24h (p<0.01); 2% patients had Na higher than 150 mmol/L. Mean urinary Na: 106.6 (±56.8)mmol/L. No change in pH at 0 and 24h. Group B (n=103): serum Na did not display statistically significant changes. Fifteen percent of the patients had Na<135 mmol/L at 24h. The two fluids had different effects on respiratory and post-operative situations. CONCLUSIONS: The use of saline 0.9% was associated with a lower incidence of electrolyte disturbances.

Renovascular hypertension in an 8-year-old girl.

Secondary hypertension is the most common form of hypertension in childhood, particularly in the young age group: parenchymal disease and lesions of the renal artery account for the majority of such cases. Renal artery aneurysms (RAA) are rare and are usually diagnosed by Doppler ultrasonography or angiography performed in the investigation of specific clinical symptoms. We report herein a case of severe arterial hypertension in an 8-year-old girl arising from a large saccular RAA. Intravenous antihypertensive drugs were necessary to achieve blood pressure control and the final diagnosis was obtained from angio-CT scan and selective angiography that demonstrated a large saccular aneurysm of the left renal artery with parietal calcification. After confirmation of inexistent function of the entire left kidney by Tc99m-MAG3 renal isotope scan, nephrectomy was performed. The child's blood pressure further normalised and, 1 month after surgery, she had ceased any antihypertensive therapy.

Hipercalcemia grave como forma de apresentação de leucemia linfoblástica aguda em crianças / Severe hypercalcemia as a form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia presentation in children

RESUMO A hipercalcemia é um distúrbio metabólico raro em pediatria, potencialmente fatal, apresentando um vasto diagnóstico diferencial, incluindo neoplasias. Relatamos aqui o caso de uma criança de 3 anos, previamente saudável, admitida no serviço de urgência por fadiga, hiporreatividade, febre e claudicação da marcha com 5 dias de evolução, de agravamento progressivo. À observação, apresentava-se inconsciente (escore de coma Glasgow: 8). Laboratorialmente, apresentava hipercalcemia grave (cálcio total 21,39mg/dL, ionizado 2,93mmol/L) e anemia microcítica. Iniciou hiper-hidratação e foi transferido para a unidade de cuidados intensivos pediátricos. Instituiu-se hemodiafiltração venovenosa contínua com soluto livre de cálcio, ocorrendo a progressiva normalização da calcemia, com melhoria do estado de consciência. Administrou-se zolendronato. Excluíram-se causas metabólicas, infecciosas e intoxicação. O mielograma permitiu o diagnóstico de leucemia linfoblástica aguda. A hipercalcemia associada à malignidade em pediatria é rara, ocorrendo como forma de apresentação da neoplasia ou na recorrência desta. Em situações com risco de vida iminente, deve se considerar hemodiafiltração venovenosa contínua.

ABSTRACT Hypercalcemia is a rare metabolic disorder in children and is potentially fatal. It has a wide differential diagnosis, including cancer. Here, we report the case of a previously healthy 3-year-old who was admitted to the emergency room with fatigue, hyporeactivity, fever and limping gait that had evolved over 5 days and that was progressively worsening. On examination the patient was unconscious (Glasgow coma score: 8). Laboratory tests indicated severe hypercalcemia (total calcium 21.39mg/dL, ionized calcium 2.93mmol/L) and microcytic anemia. Hyperhydration was initiated, and the child was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit. Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration with calcium-free solution was instituted, which brought progressive normalization of serum calcium and an improved state of consciousness. Zoledronate was administered, and metabolic and infectious causes and poisoning were excluded. The bone marrow smear revealed a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hypercalcemia associated with malignancy in children is rare and occurs as a form of cancer presentation or recurrence. Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration should be considered in situations where there is imminent risk to life.

The effect of NaCl 0.9% and NaCl 0.45% on sodium, chloride, and acid-base balance in a PICU population / Efeito do NaCl a 0,9% e do NaCl a 0,45% sobre o sódio, cloreto e equilíbrio ácido-base em uma população de UTIP

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of two intravenous maintenance fluids on plasma sodium (Na), and acid-base balance in pediatric intensive care patients during the first 24 h of hospitalization. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was performed, which allocated 233 patients to groups: (A) NaCl 0.9% or (B) NaCl 0.45%. Patients were aged 1 day to 18 years, had normal electrolyte concentrations, and suffered an acute insult (medical/surgical). Main outcome measured: change in plasma sodium. Parametric tests: t-tests, ANOVA, X 2 statistical significance level was set at a = 0.05. RESULTS: Group A (n = 130): serum Na increased by 2.91 (±3.9) mmol/L at 24 h (p < 0.01); 2% patients had Na higher than 150 mmol/L. Mean urinary Na: 106.6 (±56.8) mmol/L. No change in pH at 0 and 24 h. Group B (n = 103): serum Na did not display statistically significant changes. Fifteen percent of the patients had Na < 135 mmol/L at 24 h. The two fluids had different effects on respiratory and post-operative situations. CONCLUSIONS: The use of saline 0.9% was associated with a lower incidence of electrolyte disturbances.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Estudar o efeito de dois fluidos de manutenção intravenosos sobre o sódio (Na) plasmático e o equilíbrio ácido-base em pacientes de terapia intensiva pediátrica durante as primeiras 24 horas de internação. MÉTODOS: Foi feito um estudo controlado randomizado prospectivo. Alocamos aleatoriamente 233 pacientes para os grupos: (A) NaCl a 0,9% e (B) NaCl a 0,45%. Os pacientes com um dia a 18 anos apresentavam concentrações normais de eletrólitos e sofriam de insulto agudo (médico/cirúrgico). Principal resultado: variação no sódio plasmático. Testes paramétricos: teste t, Anova, qui-quadrado. O nível de relevância estatística foi estabelecido em a = 0,05. RESULTADOS: Grupo A (n = 130): o Na sérico aumentou 2,91 (± 3,9) mmol L-1 em 24 h (p < 0,01); 2% dos pacientes apresentaram Na acima de 150 mmol L-1. Concentração média de Na na urina: 106,6 (± 56,8) mmol L-1. Sem alteração no pH em 0 e 24 horas. Grupo B (n = 103): o Na sérico não apresentou alterações estatisticamente significativas; 15% dos pacientes apresentaram Na < 135 mmol L-1 em 24 h. Os dois fluidos tiveram efeitos diferentes sobre as situações respiratória e pós-operatória. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de solução fisiológica a 0,9% foi associado à menor incidência de distúrbios eletrolíticos.