Toddler With Intermittent Abnormal Behavior: Is It Isoniazid-Induced Psychosis?

Clinico-laboratory characteristics and outcome of patients with eucalyptus oil-induced/provoked seizures: A case series and systematic review of the published patients

Seizures triggered by skin application, inhalation or ingestion of over-the-counter medications containing eucalyptus oil are known. We report five children who suffered likewise. We made a systematic search for all reported cases and performed a pooled analysis to provide a comprehensive estimate of the type of seizures, their management and outcome. In 110 cases (49 children), inhalational use was the most predominant, generalised tonic-clonic (the commonest semiology) and levetiracetam was the most common anti-convulsant treatment used. Most cases had an uneventful recovery. Adults were less likely to have prolonged and multiple seizures, requiring intensive care or mechanical ventilation.

Trichotillomania in a child with nephrotic syndrome: An unusual steroid induced psychiatric manifestation

Steroid-induced psychosis is a known serious adverse effect seen commonly in adults but less commonly in children. We present a seven-year-old girl with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome who developed abnormal behaviour, trichotillomania, alopecia and mood changes. She was investigated to rule out other causes and treated with tapering steroids, fluoxetine and olanzapine. A marked improvement was noted after two months. Patients on long term or high dose steroids should be monitored for adverse psychological effects of steroids, as early recognition and intervention can improve the outcome.

Isoniazid induced palmoplantar hyperhidrosis

Secondary focal hyperhidrosis is usually due to peripheral or central neuronal defects and is a complex dysfunction of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system. Palmoplantar hyperhidrosis has been described with various types of polyneuropathies such as diabetic but has not previously been described with isoniazid. We report a 15-year-old boy, being followed for neurotuberculosis, who presented with burning sensation and hyperhidrosis of both palms and soles five months after starting antitubercular therapy. With oral pyridoxine supplementation, the paraesthesia and hyperhidrosis reduced to minimal severity over the next four months. Before commencing antiperspirants, simple pyridoxine supplementation can lead to the reversal of symptoms in such cases.

Acute psychosis secondary to isoniazid in pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis: A case report and literature review

Isoniazid (INH) is a first-line tuberculosis (TB) drug and is currently recommended as part of active and latent TB treatment in all ages. INH adverse reactions range from mild hepatitis to severe neurological symptoms and psychosis. Since its introduction in the 1950s, many case reports have explored INH-induced psychosis. We describe a 12-year-old girl with acute onset hallucinations and delusions as a rare complication of INH and review previous case reports and identified risk factors. Pediatricians need to be aware of this less common side effect as they work through a differential of acute psychosis in children.

Isoniazid-Induced Acute Psychosis in a Patient with Pleural Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death and the leading cause from a single infectious agent (above HIV/AIDS). Isoniazid is highly bactericidal against replicating tubercle bacilli and is a component of all antituberculous chemotherapeutic regimens currently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Several neuropsychiatric adverse effects, following both therapeutic and overdose use of isoniazid, have been described and isoniazid-induced psychosis, although uncommon, has been reported in the literature. We describe the case of a 21-year-old black woman, with no prior psychiatric history, who developed a psychotic episode four days after she was started on isoniazid. This case highlights psychosis arising as a possible adverse effect of isoniazid and the importance of remaining vigilant when antituberculous therapy is started.

Seizures following Intoxication with a Common Antituberculosis Drug

Isoniazid is an antimycobacterial agent commonly prescribed in most tuberculosis chemotherapy regimens. Its side effects are widely known including mainly liver toxicity and peripheral neuropathy. The toxic effects of isoniazid are dose-related. Toxic doses are estimated at 35–40 mg/kg and fatal doses at 150 mg/kg. Treatment consists primarily of basic life support, antiepileptic drugs, and pyridoxine. The case is of one of the children with intentional isoniazid poisoning, the drug belonging to an uncle currently under antituberculosis treatment, resulting in tonic-clonic seizures. During her hospitalization in the paediatric intensive care unit, her neurological status as well as her lab values was closely monitored, and despite initial deterioration, the patient was discharged from critical care a week after full recovery.