# Cefepime-induced encephalopathy: socio-clinical patterns and electroencephalographic findings

## TL;DR

This study examines how cefepime, an antibiotic, can cause brain dysfunction and highlights the importance of EEG for diagnosis.

## Contribution

The study identifies EEG patterns and clinical outcomes specific to cefepime-induced encephalopathy.

## Key findings

- All EEGs showed generalized periodic discharges in cefepime-induced encephalopathy.
- 70.7% of cases met criteria for nonconvulsive status epilepticus.
- 85.3% of patients improved after cefepime was stopped.

## Abstract

Cefepime is an antibiotic widely used for severe infections in hospital . However, its use can lead to encephalopathy, which is detected by electroencephalogram (EEG).

To establish the socioclinical pattern of cefepime encephalopathy and its correlation with EEG.

Forty-one medical records of patients diagnosed with cefepime-induced encephalopathy were analyzed according to the criteria established by Naranjo et al.,
1
with socioclinical parameters being evaluated.

All EEG tracings in the presence of cefepime-induced encephalopathy had generalized periodic discharges (GPD), and 70.7% of the exams met the criteria for a nonconvulsive status epilepticus. With the withdrawal of cefepime, 85.3% of patients had clinical improvement.

Encephalopathy caused by cefepime is a clinical manifestation that should be considered among patients using this antibiotic, with a wide spectrum of manifestations. The use of EEG imaging is critical for diagnosis.