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Pediatrics
infectious disease
infection
An 8-year-old girl, previously healthy and fully immunized, initially presented to an outpatient clinic with a 3-day history of headache, myalgia, and a persistent cough, accompanied by a low-grade fever. Her parents administered over-the-counter medications, including an aspirin-containing product, for symptomatic relief. Four days later, her condition acutely worsened at home; she developed intractable vomiting, became progressively lethargic, and then disoriented, leading to her emergency presentation at a tertiary care facility. On arrival, she is semicomatose, exhibiting periods of combativeness and decorticate posturing. Her liver span is mildly enlarged on palpation, and deep tendon reflexes are brisk. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis and the critical initial management step for this patient?
| Lab Parameter | Value | Reference Range |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Glucose | 2.8 mmol/L | 3.9-6.1 mmol/L |
| Ammonia | 250 µmol/L | 11-32 µmol/L |
| Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) | 350 U/L | 7-56 U/L |
| Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) | 420 U/L | 10-40 U/L |
| Prothrombin Time (PT) | 18 seconds | 11-13.5 seconds |
| International Normalized Ratio (INR) | 1.6 | 0.8-1.2 |
| White Blood Cell Count (WBC) | 11.2 x 10^9/L | 4.5-13.5 x 10^9/L |
| Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Protein | 0.25 g/L | 0.15-0.45 g/L |
| Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Glucose | 3.5 mmol/L | 2.2-3.9 mmol/L |
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