Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in a child

Summary Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is an uncommon condition, characterized by the insidious onset of fever, muscle rigidity, elevated creatine kinase, tachycardia, haemodynamic instability, altered level of consciousness, tachypnoea, diaphoresis and leucocytosis over a period of days to weeks. This condition occurs almost exclusively in patients receiving antipsychotic medications. We present a case of an eight‐year‐old boy who developed a condition that was suggestive of neuroleptic malignant syndrome after receiving oral haloperidol for control of athetoid movements. NMS is of particular importance to the anaesthetist since its clinical presentation may be confused with malignant hyperthermia (MH). Patients who had been treated for NMS have been reported as having a muscle biopsy positive for MH.