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A rare adverse effect of metronidazole: nervous system symptoms

Ihsan Kafadar1, Fatma Moustafa, Koray Yalçın

  • 1İstanbul Şişli Etfal Research and Teaching Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.

Pediatric Emergency Care
|June 6, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Metronidazole is generally safe but can cause rare neurological side effects like vision loss and vertigo in children. Promptly stopping the drug is crucial if these adverse reactions occur.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Metronidazole, a 5-nitroimidazole, is a common antibiotic for anaerobic bacteria and protozoal infections.
  • While generally well-tolerated, it carries a risk of rare, severe neurotoxicity.

Observation:

  • A 3-year-old child presented with diarrhea and subsequently developed neurological symptoms.
  • Symptoms included vision loss, vertigo, ataxia, and headache during metronidazole therapy.

Findings:

  • The case highlights metronidazole-induced neurotoxicity in a pediatric patient.
  • Neurological adverse effects necessitate careful monitoring and potential discontinuation of the drug.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering drug-induced neurotoxicity in pediatric differential diagnoses.
  • Awareness of rare side effects is crucial for pediatricians and neurologists managing infections in children.

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