Tardive Dyskinesia In Children & Infants

Tardive dyskinesia is a serious movement disorder, often attributed to the use of metoclopramide medications. Metoclopramide drugs have been available in the Unites States since 1982 and are currently sold under brand names such as Reglan.

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These medications are often used as antipsychotic drugs and are prescribed to treat gastrointestinal illnesses. Infants and children with tardive dyskinesia typically develop the condition following the prescription of drugs such as Reglan for gastrointestinal purposes, as antipsychotics are not prescribed to infants.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease In Infants & Children

Approximately 67 percent of infants suffer from gastroesophageal reflux (GER), a condition that occurs when the contents of the stomach backs up into the esophagus during or after a meal. Healthy infants are often affected by GER, and most do not experience severe symptoms of the condition.

Symptoms associated with GER include:

Poor weight gain
Arching back
Chronic cough
Spitting
Irritability associated with pain

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects significantly less infants and symptoms are often more severe. If an infant or child develops GERD or GER, a doctor may prescribe a medication like Reglan to treat the condition if other treatment options have proven ineffective.

Reglan, Tardive Dyskinesia and Infants

Infants and children are at a greater risk of developing tardive dyskinesia following the use of Reglan.

Infants and children are typically prescribed Reglan following the onset of gastrointestinal issues, and studies and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have confirmed an increased risk of developing tardive dyskinesia in infants and children taking the medication.

Unfortunately it can be very difficult to diagnose tardive dyskinesia, especially in infants and children as symptoms typically include constant abnormal movement of the mouth, tongue, eyes, jaw and cheeks.