ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) represents a cluster of adverse effects of antipsychotic medications including: hypertonicity, autonomic instability, fever, and cognitive disturbance.1 It is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of neuroleptic (antipsychotic) drug therapy, with a mortality rate of 5- 25%2 and an incidence of 0.01- 0.02 % in adults.3 The incidence rates in children and adolescents are uncertain. Precipitation of NMS may occur within hours of the first dose or after a period of maintenance treatment if there has been an increase in dose. All antipsychotics, including the newer atypical ones, have been associated with the development of NMS. Morbidity and mortality are predominantly the result of cardiopulmonary and renal complications.4 Presentations of NMS vary, and many diagnostic criteria have been proposed.2,3 The DSM-1V-TR diagnostic criteria3 require both core symptoms (fever, rigidity) and 2 or more additional symptom