New Onset Seizures in a Child Taking 0.01% Atropine Drops

Abstract

Introduction: Myopia is a refractive disorder commonly diagnosed in childhood that follows a progressive course. It is considered a global epidemic with nearly 23% of the world’s population being diagnosed with this condition. Moreover, myopia is increasing in prevalence worldwide, demonstrated by studies in Asian and Western populations. This has important implications as myopic progression to high myopia is associated with significant morbidity and visual disability if left untreated. Of these treatments, the pharmacologic agent atropine has demonstrated the greatest efficacy in reducing myopia progression. Case report: This is a case report of an 11-year-old male treated with 0.01% atropine drops for myopia progression that developed new-onset seizures. The seizures were characterized as benign epilepsy with central temporal spikes and ceased when drops were discontinued. Discussion: Atropine 1% drops have previously been associated with new or increased seizure activity in a handful of case reports, however, it is our knowledge that this is the first report associated with 0.01% drops. This is important given the growing use of 0.01% drops as well as higher concentrations such as 0.025 % and 0.05% for the treatment of pediatric myopia. Conclusion: While it cannot be proven that the drops were causative in the seizure events, it is important to consider prior seizures as a relative contraindication to the use of these drops. Atropine has the potential to exacerbate seizure activity, so it is possible that the 0.01% atropine drops played a role in the patient’s seizures. Also, any diagnosis of new-onset seizures in pediatric patients should prompt discontinuation of drops at seizure onset.