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water intoxication
Etiology:
- psychogenic polydipsia
- overhydration following heat injury
- excessive water intake after an episode of gastroenteritis or gastric lavage
- forced water intoxication as a form of child abuse
Clinical manifestations:
- initial:
- psychosis
- inappropriate behaviour
- delusions
- hallucinations
- confusion
- disorientation
- may progress to:
- delirium
- seizures
- coma
Laboratory:
- serum electrolytes
- serum sodium: hyponatremia
Complications:
- hyponatremia
- death
Management:
- stop excessive water intake
- see hyponatremia
General
intoxication
References
- Farrell DJ and Bower L
Fatal water intoxication
J Clin Pathol. 2003 October; 56(10): 803-804
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1770067/
- Wikipedia: Water intoxication
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication