Background:

catatonia is one of the most dramatic psychiatric presentations, it is a very rare condition in children and adolescents, it could be misdiagnosed as a psychotic disorder, and could cause death if not treated properly.

Objective:

to discuss an unusual case of a Gambian female teenager diagnosed of catatonic syndrome.

Case report:

a 14-year-old Gambian female teenager was admitted to Banjul Pediatric Hospital because she refused to eat, drink or speak for one week. On physical examination she was found to have an increased heart rate, moderate signs of dehydration, stuporous level of consciousness and generalized rigidity of the body. The analytical and phonomenological studies were normal. After being diagnosed of catatonic syndrome and treated with Lorazepam for 10 days, she improved enough and she was satisfactorily discharged.

Conclusions:

despite the fact that catatonia is a rare condition, the general practitioner must know this pathology, in order to impose the appropriate treatment, avoid its aggravation and thus preserve the life of these patients.

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