Neurologic, Psychiatric, and Cardiovascular Complications in Children Struck by Lightning

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Abstract
Disturbance of memory and mood after lightning injury in children may persist for months, necessitating supportive psychotherapy. Psychiatric assistance to these children who have suffered severe emotional trauma should be initiated prior to their discharge from the hospital and may need to be continued for months. Consideration should be given to the use of intracranial pressure monitoring devices in children rendered comatose by lightning injury. Severe, refractory intracranial hypertension was documented in 1 subject. Cardiac arrythmia and inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone of relatively late onset, 4-7 days after the accident were also documented. Close follow-up of the fluid and electrolyte status and cardiac rhythm for up to 1 wk was warranted. Care of the lightning-injured child is multidisciplinary; complete physical and emotional recovery from such a severely traumatic event may take months.

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