NMS and Iron

 Q: 52 years old male admitted to ICU with acute malignant catatonia 2 days ago. Now he developed Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Iron level is expected to be? (select one) 

A) high 

B) low 

Answer: B

Although not a specific marker but low iron level is a very sensitive marker for NMS. The mean level is 5.71 micromol/L, particularly in acutely sick psychiatric patients with NMS.

In the above question, patient with catatonia is chosen because the symptoms are sometimes hard to distinguish between the two conditions. Moreover, they both can exist together.

#psychiatry

#electrolytes

References:

1. Lee JW. Serum iron in catatonia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Biol Psychiatry 1998; 44:499.

2. Koch M, Chandragiri S, Rizvi S, et al. Catatonic signs in neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Compr Psychiatry 2000; 41:73. 

3. Velamoor VR. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Recognition, prevention and management. Drug Saf 1998; 19:73. 

4. Fleischhacker WW, Unterweger B, Kane JM, Hinterhuber H. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome and its differentiation from lethal catatonia. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1990; 81:3.