title: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in adolescents: four probable cases in the Western Cape.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare side-effect of neuroleptic medication. Most NMS reports have been on adults, and the incidence in children and adolescents is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This report reviews cases of NMS to highlight possible risk factors for the development of NMS in adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four cases of probable NMS in adolescents diagnosed in the Western Cape between February 2009 and March 2010 are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Risk factors in the development of the syndrome in adolescents in the Western Cape may be male gender, polypharmacy, the use of zuclopenthixol acetate (clopixol acuphase), a previous history of extra-pyramidal side-effects or NMS, and a history of substance misuse - in particular methamphetamine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caution must be applied in the apparent overuse of intramuscular antipsychotics, and especially zuclopenthixol acetate (clopixol acuphase), in neuroleptic-naïve and agitated psychotic adolescents where the short-term use of benzodiazepines is more appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Lentegeur Hospital, Mitchell's Plain, Cape Town. thenders@pgwc.gov.za
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Henderson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003006:Clopenthixol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D019338:Polypharmacy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013019:South Africa; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008694:Methamphetamine; D003006:Clopenthixol