ABSTRACT
Delay and Deniker (1968) identified a cluster of adverse effects of antipsychotic medications, including hypertonicity, autonomic instability, fever, and cognitive disturbance, which they named neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Current views hold that the dual actions of neuroleptics can be dissociated and extrapyramidal side effects should be avoided, especially when managing a child's medication. Pearlman (1986) reviewed the NMS literature in the general population and cited incidence rates ranging from.5% to 1.4% of individuals exposed to neuroleptics but did not clarify the incidence of NMS in children and adolescents. The onset of NMS is often within 2 weeks of neuroleptic initiation, and occasionally after a single dose. NMS has also occurred after small doses of neuroleptics used for nausea. The chapter explores multiple regression approaches to identify signs associated with outcome and to synthesize information to match the presentation with the course and optimal treatment.
