Loperamide cause of prolonged urinary retention after acute gastroenteritis

B. Focarelli, E. Ausili, F. Tabacco, C. Rendeli

Department of Paediatric Science, Urodynamic Laboratory, Catholic University Medical School, Rome (Italy)

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• Pediatrics

Urinary retention is uncommon in children and only one case has been described in literature with loperamide treatment. We report the occurrence of prolonged urinary retention in a 10-years-old girl after receiving oral loperamide for an acute gastroenteritis. The first episode of urinary retention lasted for 24 hours; radiological evaluation (Magnetic Resonance, cistography and renal ultrasound) did not find abnormality; it was necessary deplete bladder with catheterism. Previous to the gastroenteritis, diuresis has always been regular and she did not suffer for any neurological or urinary problems. Patient was submitted to, without success, percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (SANS) and recovered after one year clean intermittent catheterization.

Conclusion: In a period of increasing popularity of self-medical therapy for common children’s diseases, paediatricians should be aware of the potential, rare and chronic effects of this type of treatment. Moreover our case suggests that reaction to loperamide should be added to the etiological list of prolonged urinary retention in young patients.

Corresponding Author: Claudia Rendeli, MD; e-mail: c.rendeli@libero.it

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