CASE Somnolent, confused, and hungry
Mr. G, age 14, presents to the emergency department (ED) for acute-onset hypersomnia that has gradually worsened over the course of a few days. Mr. G now sleeps most of the day, has altered mental status, and is experiencing emotional dysregulation with no clear etiology. His mother, who accompanies him to the ED, says that prior to the onset of these symptoms her son had been healthy. She notes that he has been eating more than usual, which she assumes is due to a growth spurt.
Mr. G’s symptoms began 4 days ago when he became increasingly fatigued, sleeping for 11 to 12 hours per day, with intermittent episodes of staring and unresponsiveness from which he rapidly returned to baseline. During the next 3 days, he became more confused and somnolent, and began to display bizarre behavior, including eating food out of the trash and attempting to microwave a full metal pot. He exhibited unexplained crying spells, calling out for his “mommy,” and saying he was “afraid I’m dying.”
During the 2 days before he came to our ED, Mr. G was seen at 2 other hospitals. Following extensive imaging and laboratory work-up, clinicians at these facilities attributed his symptoms to intoxication from an unknown substance. Mr. G has a history of marijuana use, and his mother reports that his friends had recently been using synthetic marijuana. However, no intoxicant was identified on urine or gas chromatography drug screening.
Mr. G’s history includes oppositional behavior, and a brief psychiatric hospitalization at age 5 for aggression. He has otherwise been healthy. His family history is significant for maternal substance use and anxiety disorders. In addition to sporadic cannabis use, Mr. G’s social history includes multiple recent family losses, previous foster care placement, and recent declining academic performance.
EVALUATION No red flags
On admission, Mr. G appears somnolent and displays disorganized speech, impulsivity, frequent disorientation, and intermittent agitation/anxiety; he sleeps 16 to 18 hours per day. Mr. G is admitted with a presumptive diagnosis of substance intoxication and transferred to the general pediatric inpatient unit. Upon arrival, he is found to be bradycardic (42 beats per minute), although afebrile with otherwise age-appropriate vitals. On exam, he is somnolent but arousable and follows simple commands.
Continue to: Mr. G undergoes a Monospot test...