Am J Psychiatry 1976; 133:446-447
Copyright © 1976 by American Psychiatric Association
Catatonia, gastric hyperacidity, and fatal aspiration: a preventable syndrome
RF Bort
Sudden death from aspiration pneumonitis during acute catatonia is a
generally recognized but poorly understood occurrence. The author describes
a case in which a schizophrenic patient died following aspiration of
gastric contents. In view of findings that suggest that the acidity of
gastric contents is related to morbidity following aspiration, he
recommends that liquid antacid medication be given routinely to catatonic
patients.
