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Phenobarbital-induced Tourette-like symptoms
1Department of Internal Medicine (Neurology), University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson 85724.
Pediatric Neurology
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Phenobarbital, a medication for seizures, can cause Tourette-like symptoms in children, even at normal blood levels. This finding suggests a potential side effect of this commonly used drug.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cerebral palsy and seizure disorders are common in children.
- Phenobarbital is a widely used antiepileptic drug.
- Movement disorders, including Tourette syndrome, can have various etiologies.
Observation:
- A 7-year-old child with spastic cerebral palsy and epilepsy developed Tourette-like symptoms.
- These symptoms emerged during phenobarbital therapy while blood levels were therapeutic.
- Other potential causes for movement disorders were ruled out.
Findings:
- Recurrence of Tourette-like symptoms was observed upon repeat phenobarbital challenge.
- Phenobarbital was identified as the likely cause of the observed symptoms.
- This case suggests a potential iatrogenic cause for Tourette-like symptoms.
Implications:
- Phenobarbital should be considered a potential cause of Tourette-like symptoms.
- Clinicians should be vigilant for movement disorders in children treated with phenobarbital.
- Further research may be warranted to understand the mechanism of phenobarbital-induced Tourette-like symptoms.