Catatonia in a Patient with Down Syndrome: Report of a Case

A-27-year-old Taiwanese woman with Down syndrome was admitted due to intermittent fever for one week. Pneumonia was impressed. After admission, empiric antibiotics were prescribed. However, shock developed, and the patient was transferred to ICU. Once the symptoms were brought under control, she was transferred to general ward. s, There it was discovered that, although apparently awake, she could not eat, talk or walk. No offending drug, seizure, or CVA was found, and a psychiatrist was consulted. Catatonia was suspected and Lorazepam was suggested. The patient experienced dramatic recovery able to eat, talk and walk almost immediately after Lorazepam administration. Clinicians should be aware of the causes of catatonia including general medical disorders, as it does not only occur in association with schizophrenia or major depressive disorder.