logo
Science Portal
Copyright © Médecins Sans Frontières
v2.1.5145.produseast1
About MSF Science Portal
About
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Copyright © Médecins Sans Frontières
v2.1.5145.produseast1
Acute respiratory failure in an infant and thiamine deficiency in West Africa: a case report | Journal Article / Case Report/Series | MSF Science Portal
Journal Article
|Case Report/Series

Acute respiratory failure in an infant and thiamine deficiency in West Africa: a case report

Hiffler L, Escajadillo K, Rocaspana M, Janet S
Download

Similar Content
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Abstract
In paediatrics, the overall clinical picture of thiamine deficiency (TD) is not easy to recognize, because it mimics or can be confused with other diseases even in cases of classic beriberi. Unsurprisingly, the likelihood of misdiagnosis of TD is even greater where beriberi has not been described.

Critically ill patients have increased thiamine body consumption and dextrose-based IV fluid increases thiamine cellular demand even further. Consequently, severe acute conditions may result in TD, or trigger TD signs in patients with borderline thiamine status, with life-threatening consequences.

Here, we describe the case of a young patient admitted to a West African hospital where TD is not well documented and diagnosed with severe pneumonia who responded dramatically to thiamine injection.

The lack of rapid diagnostic capacity and the severe outcome of TD justify the use of a therapeutic thiamine challenge in cases with high clinical suspicion. Increased awareness about TD and low threshold for thiamine use should guide clinicians in their practice.

Subject Area

pediatrics

Languages

English
DOI
10.1093/omcr/omaa041.
Published Date
25 Jun 2020
PubMed ID
32617168
Journal
Oxford Medical Case Reports
Volume | Issue | Pages
Volume 6, Pages omaa041
Issue Date
2020-06-01
Dimensions Badge