metabolic encephalopathy


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met·a·bol·ic en·ceph·a·lop·a·thy

coma or its precursors resulting from a diffuse abnormality of cerebral neuronal or glial cell metabolism. Primary metabolic encephalopathy is due to any of the degenerative cerebral disorders that culminate in coma; secondary metabolic encephalopathy results when brain metabolism is disturbed by extracerebral disorders causing intoxication, electrolyte imbalances, or nutritional deficiencies, for example, hepatic or renal disease or exogenous poisons.

met·a·bol·ic en·ceph·a·lop·a·thy

(met'ă-bol'ik en-sef'ă-lop'ă-thē)
Encephalopathy characterized by memory loss, vertigo, and generalized weakness, due to metabolic brain disease including hypoxia, ischemia, hypoglycemia, or secondary to other organ failure such as the liver or kidney.

metabolic encephalopathy

An alteration of brain function or consciousness due to failure of other internal organs. In the hospital, metabolic encephalopathy is among the most common causes of altered mental status. Renal failure, liver injury, electrolyte or acid-base abnormalities, hypoxia, hypercarbia, and inadequate brain perfusion caused by a failing heart are but some of the medical conditions that may produce treatable encephalopathies.

Symptoms

Confusion, irritability, seizures, and coma are common findings.

See also: encephalopathy
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References in periodicals archive ?
Emergency empirical management of a child with metabolic encephalopathy can significantly reduce morbidity, pending confirmation of the diagnosis by specialised investigations.
* Clinicians in South Africa need to rely on a high level of clinical awareness, combined with a low threshold for ordering basic metabolic investigations, to effectively diagnose and treat patients presenting with potential metabolic encephalopathy.
Investigation of metabolic encephalopathy: encephalopathy may be a presenting sign in a wide range of medical conditions
The clinical signs of the zebu were specific for an SE but could have been explained partially by other pathologic findings, e.g., the degenerative lesions of the spine and the metabolic encephalopathy (Table 1).
Spongiform encephalopathy in a miniature zebu
EEG data of 30 patients with metabolic encephalopathy were recorded.
Can Chaotic Analysis of Electroencephalogram Aid the Diagnosis of Encephalopathy?
Mortality was highest with severe hyponatraemia patients (10.5%) who had sepsis, metabolic encephalopathy, cirrhosis of liver and diabetic ketoacidosis.
Study of severity of hyponatraemia and its clinical outcome in patients admitted to tertiary care ICU
Overt or amnestic neurological disease (Except HE), such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and non-hepatic metabolic encephalopathy.
Evaluation of critical flicker frequency in detecting and monitoring minimal hepatic encephalopathy
These type of patients have the risk of being misdiagnosed as metabolic encephalopathy and may require repeated hospitalizations if hypopituitarism is missed.
Case series-metabolic abnormalities a clue for hypopitutarism in middle age and elderly population--a diagnostic challenge

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