[Severe neuropsychiatric disorders in an asthmatic infant who received repeated glucocorticoid treatment: the importance of associated factors].
Children and adults may experience neuropsychiatric disorders during glucocorticoid treatment, most of which are reversible upon drug withdrawal. Whereas the occurrence of these disorders is well documented in teenagers, only a few cases have been reported in children under 3 years of age. We report on severe neuropsychiatric disorders that occurred in a 27-month-old child during glucocorticoid treatment for asthma that did not regress when treatment was stopped. The psychiatric symptoms suggested autism and were associated with deterioration of the child-mother relationship. This led the medical staff to initiate a dual therapy (conducted by a psychiatrist and a speech therapist) focused on the restoration of the maternal bond. A dramatic improvement in both the child's and the mother's behavior was observed within a few months. Severe psychiatric disorders induced by glucocorticoids can occur in young children and be worsened by environmental factors. The quality of the child-parent relationship should be kept in mind during the management of drug-induced psychiatric disorders.
Cathala
J-M
JM
Centre médicopsycho-pédagogique, 53, chemin des 19-arches, 54700 Pont-à-Mousson, France. crpv@chu-nancy.fr
Petitpain
N
N
Roy
B
B
Ferrand
M
M
Tréchot
P
P
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004493:Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012931:Social Environment; D013070:Speech Therapy
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001623:Betamethasone