Potentially Life-Threatening Cardiac Dysrhythmia in a Child with Selenium Deficiency and Phenylketonuria |
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| Authors: | L. G. GREEVES D. J. CARSON B. G. CRAIG D. McMASTER |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Child Health and Medicine, The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT. Selenium deficiency is a frequent finding in children with phenylketonuria (PKU) receiving dietary treatment. We report the occurrence of episodic ventricular tachycardia in a 9-month-old infant with PKU. Serum selenium (Se), 0.13 μmol/1 (normal range 0.28–1.12 μmol/1, mean ± 2 SD), and whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GSHPX), 16 U/g Hb (normal range 19.5–34.3 U/g Hb, mean ± 2 SD), were low. Auscultation of cardiac rhythm is recommended during the routine follow-up of young children with PKU. Se deficiency should be considered in the aetiology of a dysrhythmia and corrected with Se supplementation. |
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| Keywords: | ventricular tachycardia phenylketonuria selenium |
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