A Toddler Played With His Cat. This Is What Happened To His Brain. - Summary

Summary

Dede, a three-year-old boy, presented to the ER unconscious after suffering seizures. He had a history of hematuria and hydronephrosis due to an oversized ureter, leading to severe kidney damage and end-stage renal disease. Post kidney transplant, he was on immunosuppressive therapy. Months later, he developed symptoms consistent with Toxoplasma encephalitis, likely contracted from playing in his new cat's litter box. Despite his compromised immune system, Dede received prompt anti-parasitic treatment and made a full neurologic recovery, allowing him to lead a normal childhood.

Facts

Here are the key facts extracted from the text:

1. Dede is a three-year-old boy who presented to the emergency room unconscious.
2. He had suffered two seizures within an hour.
3. Ten months prior, Dede experienced hematuria, the urination of blood.
4. He was diagnosed with hydronephrosis, an abnormal state of kidney water retention.
5. Dede developed a primary megaureter, an oversized ureter causing urine to back up into the kidneys.
6. The condition caused severe kidney damage, leading to the removal of his left kidney.
7. His right kidney was also damaged, resulting in end-stage renal disease.
8. Dede was put on dialysis and placed on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.
9. He successfully received a kidney transplant after a short wait time.
10. Post-transplant, he was put on immunosuppressive therapy to prevent organ rejection.
11. Months later, Dede started experiencing headaches and other symptoms.
12. He was diagnosed with encephalitis, inflammation of the brain.
13. The encephalitis was suspected to be caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite.
14. Dede's immunosuppressed state made him susceptible to the infection.
15. He likely contracted the parasite from playing in his cat's litter box.
16. Anti-parasitic treatment was initiated before confirmatory blood tests due to high suspicion of toxoplasmosis.
17. Dede made a full neurologic recovery and lived a relatively normal childhood after treatment.

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