Catatonia in Nodding Syndrome and Lorazepam Treatment

In this pilot study, the investigators examined a convenient sample of children and adolescents with Nodding Syndrome (NS) for catatonic symptoms using standardized criteria. The investigators also tested whether oral lorazepam (LZP) administered to those who qualified to have pediatric catatonia would alleviate symptoms. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of catatonia in NS patients in Northern Uganda and an exploratory study of using one or two doses of lorazepam as a catatonia test.

All the children with confirmed NS that had 2 or more of symptoms of catatonia were recruited to undergo the catatonia test using oral Lorazepam EG® (n.v. Eurogenerics s.a. Brussels, Belgium) using the 1 mg formulation tablets. It was proposed to perform a catatonia test using Lorazepam (LZP) as first choice medication, as this is the medication that has been used most commonly in pediatric catatonia.

The amount of drug given was based on the weight of the child. The lower dose (0.5 mg) was used as starting dose for patients with <30 kg body weight, while the higher dose (1 mg) as the starting dose for patients with >30 kg body weight.

A positive response to a catatonia test consisted of a reduction in catatonic symptoms, 30 or 60 minutes later, by at least 50% .Positive responses were documented by video footage before and after administration of LZP.

If no response to the initial dose of LZP, was observed after one hour, a second administration of the same medication at double the dose was given. Catatonia was again assessed at 30 and 60 minutes thereafter. If no response was observed, the test was considered negative.

Inclusion criteria

• Children and adolescents with Nodding Syndrome as defined by the consensus definition agreed upon in the international Nodding Syndrome research meeting held in Kampala, Uganda July 2012.
• Presence of two or more catatonic items on the Kampala Catatonia Panel.
• Written informed consent from caregiver.

Exclusion criteria

• Children and adolescents with Nodding Syndrome who had a history of having used a benzodiazepine drug in the past 48 hours prior to intervention.
• Children and adolescents with Nodding Syndrome who had a concurrent acute illness (e.g febrile illness, pneumonia) at time of assessment.