Abstract
Self-abusive behavior, noted frequently in congenital sensory neuropathy, was observed
in two children with acquired peripheral nerve dysfunction. In one case a laceration
over the median nerve was followed by self-induced trauma to the fingers distal to
the cut, while the other patient developed self-mutilation in all the extremities
following insecticide poisoning and presented with signs of diffuse peripheral neuropathy.
Improvement of the self-injurious behavior in each case seemed temporally related
to the use of anticonvulsant medications, a treatment that is often suggested for
older patients with paresthesias related to peripheral neuropathy. The apparent improvement
in these two patients suggests that a trial of these drugs in additional patients
with self-abusive behavior associated with peripheral neuropathy would be justified.
Self-injurious behavior (SIB) in children, self-inflicted injury which tends to be
repetitive and purposeless, has been associated with many disorders, including Lesch-Nyhan
syndrome, mental retardation, autism, and congenital sensory neuropathy. We report
two cases of self-mutilation which occurred as a result of acquired peripheral neuropathy.
In both cases the self-mutilation appeared to improve with anticonvulsant therapy,
a treatment often suggested in older patients for paresthesias associated with peripheral
neuropathy.
Key words
Sensory neuropathy - Self injurious behavior - Anticonvulsants
