Acute steroid-induced tetraplegia following status asthmaticus

A 10-year-old girl was treated for an acute asthmatic attack with ventilation and a high-dose steroids regimen. An areflexic paralysis of the four limbs was noted when artificial ventilatory support was withdrawn. Electromyography and a muscle biopsy revealed marked myopathic features. We discuss the unusual presentation of an acute steroid-induced myopathy in an asthmatic patient.