Abstract
Permanent severe bilateral optic atrophy was detected in a 3½-year-old white child with an unusual type of colitis following oral administration of diiodohydroxyquin, 1,950 mg daily for eight weeks, given as nonspecific treatment of diarrhea. Neurological examination four weeks after the appearance of partial blindness revealed no abnormalities other than optic atrophy. Examination three years later showed persistence of the optic atrophy and the presence of nystagmus on extreme lateral gaze. Because of strong evidence suggesting dose-related neurotoxicity associated with use of the chemically similar drug, iodochlorhydroxyquin, it was thought that this child's optic atrophy was caused by the large amount of diiodohydroxyquin he received. The presence of active inflammatory bowel disease in association with pharmacologically delayed colonic emptying may have enhanced colonic absorption of the drug, thereby contributing to its neurotoxicity.
- Received September 12, 1973.
- Accepted December 9, 1973.
- Copyright © 1974 by the American Academy of Pediatrics
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