Steroid-induced psychosis in a child: treatment with risperidone

Abstract

Steroid-induced psychosis is one of the most serious adverse effects of steroid therapy but is a little-known complication in children. There is no clear mechanism model for steroid-induced behavioral disturbance, but it may be related with dose or level of free fraction of steroids. Our case is a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with steroid-induced psychosis and treated with risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic, due to distinct psychotic symptoms. Pediatricians should be aware of this rare complication when administering corticosteroids for various medical illnesses.