Cephalosporins – A Friend or Foe? An Uncommon Cause for Encephalopathy: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Metabolic Encephalopathy can occur due to various causes. These causes include endocrine, toxin induced, nutritional disorders, infectious diseases and many more. One extremely under reported cause is Neurotoxicity due to antibiotics. Case Presentation: Here we present a case of a 48-year-old woman, with known Systemic Hypertension and Chronic Kidney Disease. She developed fever which was treated with a fourth-generation cephalosporin following which she showed signs of altered sensorium. Various investigations were done which lead towards the diagnosis of Cephalosporin Induced Encephalopathy (CIE). Conclusion: Our Case Report highlights the risk factors for developing CIE and the correct investigations to be done for any case of Encephalopathy. Even though this is not a common diagnosis, proper surveillance should be undertaken for any patient with risk factors who are treated with Cephalosporins. Keywords: Cefepime; Cephalosporin induced Encephalopathy; Chronic Kidney Disease; Reversible Encephalopathy.