title: Neurological adverse effects of methylphenidate may be misdiagnosed as meningoencephalitis.
abstract: We present a case of adverse neurological effects of methylphenidate therapy for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A 7-year-old boy presented to the emergency department (ED) having developed ataxic gait, orofacial dyskinesias and choreoathetosis of the limbs. The results of all blood investigations, EEG and CT scan of the head were unremarkable. Subsequently, a detailed history revealed he was being treated for ADHD, being started on methylphenidate in the past 3 months. Discontinuation of methylphenidate led to significant and rapid amelioration of neurological adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Royal Free London NHS Trust, London, UK Medical School, UCL, London, UK.
authors.forename: Luke Blagdon
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Snell
authors.affiliation: East & North Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Welwyn Garden City, UK.
authors.forename: Dinkar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bakshi
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D020234:Gait Ataxia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate