Troubles neuropsychiatriques sévères chez un nourrisson asthmatique au décours de cures itératives de corticoïdes oraux : analyse des facteurs favorisants

Children and adults may experience neuropsychiatric disorders during glucocorticoid treatment, most of which are reversible upon drug withdrawal. Whereas the occurrence of these disorders is well documented in teenagers, only a few cases have been reported in children under 3 years of age. We report on severe neuropsychiatric disorders that occurred in a 27-month-old child during glucocorticoid treatment for asthma that did not regress when treatment was stopped. The psychiatric symptoms suggested autism and were associated with deterioration of the child-mother relationship. This led the medical staff to initiate a dual therapy (conducted by a psychiatrist and a speech therapist) focused on the restoration of the maternal bond. A dramatic improvement in both the child's and the mother's behavior was observed within a few months. Severe psychiatric disorders induced by glucocorticoids can occur in young children and be worsened by environmental factors. The quality of the child-parent relationship should be kept in mind during the management of drug-induced psychiatric disorders.