Carbamazepine Induced Ataxia: A Case Report in Pediatrics

Abstract

Ataxia is a manifestation which is characterized by lack of coordination in the movement of different muscles in the body due to variety of diseased conditions. Carbamazepine is used as an antiepileptic and for pain disorders and a range of psychiatric diagnoses that shows ataxic symptoms in a dose-dependent manner. Toxic effects are due to the drug’s anti-cholinergic activity, sodium channel blockade, CNS depression and myocardial depressant properties. Even at therapeutic doses, patient might show mild signs of toxicity and hence serum drug concentration needs to be monitored regularly. In case of mild to moderate toxicity, treatment is not required. This is a common yet rarely reported case report of carbamazepine induced ataxia in a pediatric patient of 6 years old male child who was presented with chief complaints of headache, stiffness of body, generalized weakness and nausea since one week. He had 2 episodes of vomiting at morning and stiffening of body which lasted for few seconds on the day of admission. He had history of ingestion of 3 tablets of carbamazepine of strength 100mg for headache. Supportive treatment was provided and was closely monitored by a multi-disciplinary team for clinical features of ataxia which was reversed after 3 days of hospital stay.