INDEX OF SUSPICION
Summer Smith MD1
John L. Green MD
Susan K Lynch MD2
Mark J. Polak MD2
1 Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA
2 West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
This section of Pediatrics in Review reminds clinicians of those conditions that can present in a misleading fashion and require suspicion for early diagnosis. Emphasis has been placed on conditions in which early diagnosis is important and that the general pediatrician might be expected to encounter, at least once in a while. The reader is encouraged to write possible diagnoses for each case before turning to the discussion, which is on the following page.
We invite readers to contribute case presentations and discussions.
Case 1 Presentation
A 17-year-old boy is admitted to the hospital for evaluation and management of recently diagnosed diabetes mellitus. His mother expresses concern about his acting-out behavior and about frequent difficulties in drinking from a glass due to tremors. On examination he is found to be 68.5 inches tall, and he has a mild scoliosis. Evaluation of sexual development reveals axillary hair at Tanner stage III, pubic hair at stage V, penile length of 8 cm, left testicular volume of 3.0 x 1.8 cm, and an undescended right testicle. No breast tissue is palpable.
Case 2 Presentation
A 16-year-old girl is seen at your office with a history of prolonged fatigue and weakness. She has missed school frequently over the past 4 to 5 months, having had many vague complaints of "no energy," headaches, sore throats, aching knees, and the feeling that she will almost "pass out" if she does gymnastics or physical exertion of any kind.
