Central Pontine Myelinolysis in Childhood

Abstract

The cause of central pontine myelinolysis is not known. A relationship to alcoholism has been postulated while others have stressed liver disease as primary. Three cases in children all Without any history of alcoholic intake are reported. The common feature in all three cases is severe liver disease. The primary disease processes were respectively (1) Hodgkins disease, (2) infectious hepatitis, and (3) craniopharyngioma with pituitary insufficiency after treatment. These three cases strengthen the argument for the importance of liver disease in the pathogenesis of the disease.