Grand mal seizure in a child 30 minutes after Cyclogyl (cyclopentolate hydrochloride) and 10% Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine hydrochloride) eye drops were instilled

Pediatrics. 2004 May;113(5):e499-500. doi: 10.1542/peds.113.5.e499.

Abstract

A grand mal seizure is an unexpected, rare adverse event in a child receiving eye drops to dilate the pupils for an eye examination. A case is reported of a convulsion in a 23-month-old boy after he received Cyclogyl (cyclopentolate) and Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine) eye drops before ophthalmoscopy. His serum sodium was 125 mEq/L, and he had low plasma pseudocholinesterase activity. Children exposed to organophosphate insecticides and other pseudocholinesterase inhibitors may be at risk for cyclopentolate toxicity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Butyrylcholinesterase
  • Cyclopentolate / adverse effects*
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Insecticides
  • Male
  • Mydriatics / adverse effects*
  • Ophthalmic Solutions / adverse effects
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Phenylephrine / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Insecticides
  • Mydriatics
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Phenylephrine
  • Butyrylcholinesterase
  • Cyclopentolate