Neurological adverse effects of methylphenidate may be misdiagnosed as meningoencephalitis

TY - JOUR

T1 - Neurological adverse effects of methylphenidate may be misdiagnosed as meningoencephalitis

AU - Snell, Luke Blagdon

AU - Bakshi, Dinkar

N1 - 2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

PY - 2015/6/16

Y1 - 2015/6/16

N2 - We present a case of adverse neurological effects of methylphenidate therapy for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A 7-year-old boy presented to the emergency department (ED) having developed ataxic gait, orofacial dyskinesias and choreoathetosis of the limbs. The results of all blood investigations, EEG and CT scan of the head were unremarkable. Subsequently, a detailed history revealed he was being treated for ADHD, being started on methylphenidate in the past 3 months. Discontinuation of methylphenidate led to significant and rapid amelioration of neurological adverse effects.

AB - We present a case of adverse neurological effects of methylphenidate therapy for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A 7-year-old boy presented to the emergency department (ED) having developed ataxic gait, orofacial dyskinesias and choreoathetosis of the limbs. The results of all blood investigations, EEG and CT scan of the head were unremarkable. Subsequently, a detailed history revealed he was being treated for ADHD, being started on methylphenidate in the past 3 months. Discontinuation of methylphenidate led to significant and rapid amelioration of neurological adverse effects.

KW - Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/drug therapy

KW - Central Nervous System Stimulants/adverse effects

KW - Child

KW - Diagnostic Errors

KW - Gait Ataxia/chemically induced

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Meningoencephalitis/diagnosis

KW - Methylphenidate/adverse effects

KW - Treatment Outcome

U2 - 10.1136/bcr-2014-207796

DO - 10.1136/bcr-2014-207796

M3 - Article

C2 - 26082097

SN - 1757-790X

VL - 2015

JO - BMJ case reports

JF - BMJ case reports

ER -