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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 July 2023
: Milk-alkali syndrome is a medical condition, which could present with psychiatric manifestations. It is caused by hypercalcemia resulting from the ingestion of large amounts of calcium and absorbable alkali. The core symptoms include hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and renal failure. Diagnosing this syndrome requires a high index of suspicion. The aim of this paper is to describe the case of Mrs. C who had psychotic symptoms because of Milk-Alkaline syndrome
Mrs. C was a 75-year-old white British female with a previous history of anorexia nervosa who has been clinically stable for more than 15 years. She was discharged by the community mental health services about 11 years ago but has been on a repeated dose of Gaviscon for about 8 years.
She presented to the accident and emergency (A and E) unit with a history of confusion, unsteadiness, paranoid beliefs, low mood, and reduced rate of speech. No history of infection or other physical health concerns. Routine blood showed increased calcium 3.41(2.2-2.60) and a reduced potassium level 2.9 (3.5-5.3). CT head scan did not show any acute changes.
She was stabilized and transferred to the ward for further management.
While on the ward, she had a diagnosis of Milk-Alkaline syndrome with psychiatric manifestation. Gaviscon was discontinued because the medics felt this was responsible for the electrolyte imbalance. She was also referred to the mental health liaison team (MHLT).
Following the mental health liaison team review, Mrs. C's psychiatric presentation was suspected to have been probably related to her medical condition. After a few weeks on the ward, her electrolyte became normalized; adjusted Ca 2.72 (2.2-2.6), serum ca 2.74(2.2-2.6). She had a follow-up review by the mental health team that showed her psychosis had also resolved. No medication was prescribed for her presentation. She was subsequently discharged from MHLT and referred to the GP for follow-up.
previous case-report have shown a suspected link between Milk alkaline syndrome and acute psychosis, although the reasons for this have not been understood. The current case further emphasized this link. What is not evident however is if there were other physical health issues that might have also contributed to the patient's initial presentation.
Diagnosis of Milk-Alkaline Syndrome requires a high index of suspicion, missing this could lead to inappropriate use of medication. As a psychiatrist, this case has shown the importance of adequate investigation before making a definitive diagnosis, especially in a psychiatric liaison setting.
Abstracts were reviewed by the RCPsych Academic Faculty rather than by the standard BJPsych Open peer review process and should not be quoted as peer-reviewed by BJPsych Open in any subsequent publication.
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