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Piperazine neurotoxicity: worm wobble revisited
1Emergency Medical Trauma Center, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Piperazine effectively treats worm infections but can rarely cause cerebellar ataxia, a condition affecting coordination. This case highlights a child developing ataxia after standard piperazine citrate therapy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Piperazine is a long-standing anthelmintic agent used for treating pinworm and roundworm infections.
- Piperazine-induced cerebellar ataxia is a rare adverse effect, typically associated with overdose or impaired kidney function.
Observation:
- A case report details an otherwise healthy child who developed neurological symptoms.
- The child exhibited signs of cerebellar ataxia, including clumsiness, gait disturbances, and difficulty with object manipulation.
Findings:
- The patient's ataxia emerged after a seven-day course of piperazine citrate treatment.
- This presentation is unusual given the absence of overdose or renal insufficiency.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for piperazine to induce cerebellar ataxia even at therapeutic doses in susceptible individuals.
- It highlights the importance of considering piperazine toxicity in pediatric patients presenting with unexplained ataxia.
- Further investigation into the mechanisms and risk factors for piperazine-induced neurotoxicity may be warranted.