Rhabdomyolysis in a Hospitalized 16-Year-Old Boy: A Rarely Reported Underlying Cause

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

• Rhabdomyolysis is a significant cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), accounting for 7% of US annual cases.
• Identifying the specific etiology of rhabdomyolysis can be challenging, especially with multiple contributing factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of rhabdomyolysis in a adolescent male.
• To highlight levetiracetam as a potential, though infrequently reported, cause of drug-induced rhabdomyolysis.
• To underscore the potential for delayed diagnosis in such cases.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 16-year-old male patient.
• Review of clinical presentation, medication history (levetiracetam), and diagnostic workup.
• Literature review on levetiracetam-associated rhabdomyolysis.

Main Results:

• The patient developed rhabdomyolysis after being prescribed levetiracetam for seizures.
• This adverse drug reaction is rarely documented in medical literature.
• The diagnosis was complicated by the patient's underlying condition and the infrequent reporting of this side effect.

Conclusions:

• Levetiracetam should be considered as a potential cause of rhabdomyolysis, even if rarely reported.
• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for drug-induced rhabdomyolysis in patients presenting with relevant symptoms.
• Prompt recognition and management are crucial for preventing severe outcomes like acute kidney injury.