Abstract
A 6-year-old severely handicapped boy with haloperidol-induced mild rhabdomyolysis
without neuroleptic malignant syndrome is reported. He had suffered from frontal lobe
epilepsy, severe mental retardation and involuntary movements. To reduce the involuntary
movements, oral administration of haloperidol was started. Haloperidol was effective
for the involuntary movements, and he became well. However, his urine was sometimes
dark brown, and the myoglobin level in his urine was increased. After discontinuation
of haloperidol, his urine never became dark brown. It was suspected that haloperidol
might cause mild rhabdomyolysis without neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Neuroleptic
malignant syndrome is a rare but severe adverse effect of neuroleptics, and is usually
accompanied by rhabdomyolysis. Although there have been a few adult cases presenting
rhabdomyolysis without neuroleptic malignant syndrome, this patient might be the first
child case with such symptoms. We have to pay attention to this syndrome when using
haloperidol even in children.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
January 28,
2000
Received in revised form:
December 17,
1999
Received:
September 29,
1999
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
