What metabolic disorders manifest with psychosis induced by surgical stress in the pediatric population?

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Last updated: March 19, 2025View editorial policy

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Differential Diagnosis for Metabolic Disorders with Psychosis in Pediatric Population

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): A common complication of diabetes in children, DKA can be triggered by surgical stress, leading to psychosis due to severe metabolic derangements, including hyperglycemia, acidosis, and electrolyte imbalances.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Thyroid Storm: Although less common, thyroid storm can be precipitated by surgical stress in pediatric patients with untreated or undertreated hyperthyroidism, leading to psychosis, among other symptoms.
  • Adrenal Insufficiency: Surgical stress can precipitate an adrenal crisis in children with adrenal insufficiency, resulting in psychosis, hypotension, and electrolyte disturbances.
  • Pheochromocytoma: This rare tumor can cause episodic hypertension, tachycardia, and psychosis, especially during surgical stress, due to excessive catecholamine release.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): A genetic disorder affecting adrenal steroid production, CAH can lead to adrenal crisis and psychosis during surgical stress if not properly managed.
  • Methylmalonic Acidemia: A rare genetic disorder of amino acid metabolism, methylmalonic acidemia can cause severe metabolic acidosis, psychosis, and other complications during surgical stress.
  • Propionic Acidemia: Another genetic disorder of amino acid metabolism, propionic acidemia can lead to severe metabolic acidosis, psychosis, and other life-threatening complications during surgical stress.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD): A rare genetic disorder of branched-chain amino acid metabolism, MSUD can cause severe metabolic acidosis, psychosis, and other complications during surgical stress.
  • Urea Cycle Disorders: A group of rare genetic disorders affecting ammonia metabolism, urea cycle disorders can lead to severe hyperammonemia, psychosis, and other life-threatening complications during surgical stress.
  • Organic Acidemias: A group of rare genetic disorders of organic acid metabolism, organic acidemias can cause severe metabolic acidosis, psychosis, and other complications during surgical stress.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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