J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.
2009 Nov;48(6):510-514.
Acute Haloperidol Poisoning in Infant and Toddler: A Sibling Case Report
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea. jsyoon@chonnam.ac.kr
- 2Depression Clinical Research Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
- 3Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
- 4Depression Clinical Research Center, Clinical Trial Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
- 5Department of Pediatrics, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
Abstract
- Antipsychotic poisoning may cause significant adverse effects, su-ch as a change in consciousness and extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), in infants and toddlers. We report the sibling cases of a 33-month-old sister and 11-month-old brother who both presented with altered states of consciousness and cervical rigidity after acute haloperidol poisoning. Initially, the pediatrician suspected a central nervous system infection, as the patients exhibited confused mental states, cervical rigidity, and ataxia in the emergency room. Various laboratory and imaging tests, including cerebrospinal fluid examinations, electroencephalograms, and brain computerized tomography did not show any particular abnormalities. After 1 day, the patients' mother reported that she had a current haloperidol prescription, for the treatment of schizophrenia. After 3 days of symptomatic treatment, the two siblings recovered completely, without significant sequelae. Haloperidol was detected in their plasma, at concentrations of 2.1 ng/mL in the sister and 2.5 ng/mL in the brother. We emphasize that, when administering antipsychotics to patients living with young children, family education to prevent unintentional antipsychotic poisoning is essential. Clinicians must take account of the possibility of antipsychotics poisoning when a child suddenly presents an altered state of consciousness and/or suspicious EPS with no clear reason.
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