Baclofen Induced Encephalopathy in a 6-Year-Old Boy with Advanced Renal Failure

Majid Malak1, Mohammad Barzegar1

  • 1Pediatric Nephrologist, Pediatric Health Reseaech Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran.

Insights

Baclofen overdose in a child with renal failure caused encephalopathy. Renal function monitoring is crucial before prescribing baclofen, especially in high-risk pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Clinical Toxicology

Background:

  • Baclofen is a muscle relaxant used for various conditions across all age groups.
  • Patients with renal impairment are at higher risk for adverse effects from baclofen due to impaired drug clearance.

Observation:

  • A 6-year-old boy presented with loss of consciousness, hypotonia, and areflexia after receiving a total dose of 20 mg baclofen (1 mg/kg/day) for voiding dysfunction.
  • The child was diagnosed with advanced renal failure.

Findings:

  • The patient experienced baclofen-induced encephalopathy, characterized by neurological symptoms including insomnia, paresthesia, intentional tremors, and ataxia.
  • Discontinuation of baclofen and supportive care led to complete recovery within two days.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the critical need for renal function assessment prior to initiating baclofen therapy, particularly in pediatric populations.
  • Even standard baclofen doses can precipitate severe toxicity in children with compromised renal function, necessitating careful dosing and monitoring.

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