Low serum iron as a possible risk factor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare, but fatal condition characterized by rigidity, fever, dysautonomia and altered consciousness along with elevated serum creatinine phosphokinase levels and leukocytosis. Treatment of NMS includes symptomatic and specific treatment with drugs like bromocriptine may be given. Risk factors for NMS include dehydration, parenteral antipsychotics and high potency antipsychotics. One of the important, but lesser known risk factors for NMS is low serum iron. Pronounced reduction in serum iron suggests that acute phase reactants do have a role in NMS. The present case report focuses on the importance of low serum iron as a risk factor for NMS.