PERSISTENT CATATONIA IN A PREGNANT NIGERIAN WOMAN: A CASE REPORT.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The syndrome of catatonia appears to exist with many conditions, yet goes undetected by the skillful eyes of clinicians. This case which is rarely reported in literatures shows the effectiveness of antipsychotic augmenting in a persistent catatonic schizophrenia disorder. METHOD: This is a case narration of persistent catatonia in a 24-years old pregnant Nigerian woman with schizophrenia disorder. RESULTS: First line management with benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) failed to resolve the syndrome which later responded to Electroconvulsive Therapy with low dose antipsychotic augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Cautious augmenting of electroconvulsive therapy with neuroleptics may be a quick and relatively safe procedure in the relief of schizophrenia with catatonia in pregnancy.