Acute Torticollis Reaction Following Metoclopramide Use in a Pediatric Patient: A Comprehensive Case Report and Appraisal of Current Knowledge

Mohamed Farah Gabobe Nor,1 Rayan Mohamed Salah,2 Mohammed AM Ahmed,3 Sakariye Abdullahi Hassan,4 Mohamed Farah Yusuf Mohamud1,5,6 1Faculty of Medicine, Mogadishu University, Mogadishu, Somalia; 2Department of Pediatric, Kalkaal Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 3Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Mogadishu University, Mogadishu, Somalia; 4Department of Infectious Disease, Kalkaal Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 5Tayo Institute for Research and Development, Mogadishu, Somalia; 6Somali Society for Emergency Medicine, Mogadishu, SomaliaCorrespondence: Mohamed Farah Yusuf Mohamud, Department of Medicine, Mogadishu University, Mogadishu, Somalia, Tel +252615591689, Email [email protected]: Dopamine receptor antagonists like metoclopramide are frequently used in a variety of clinical contexts to treat gastrointestinal disorders and control nausea and vomiting. However, it is associated with a high incidence of extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) in children, including dystonic movements and torticollis. This is the instance of a 9-year-old girl who developed abnormal movements of the neck and tongue, along with torticollis, within 48 hours of receiving intravenous metoclopramide for gastroenteritis. The metoclopramide therapy was discontinued, and supportive measures, including diphenhydramine, were initiated, resulting in the resolution of symptoms. This case highlights the importance of recognizing and managing metoclopramide-induced EPS in pediatric patients.Keywords: metoclopramide, extrapyramidal side effect, dystonic movements, torticollis emergency department