Long-Term Intravenous Ketamine for Analgesia in a Child with Severe Chronic Intestinal Graft versus Host Disease

Abstract EN

Ketamine is reported to be an effective adjuvant to opioids in the treatment of refractory cancer pain; however, the use of high doses of ketamine for extended periods in pediatric patients has not been described.

We present a five-year-old male with grade IV intestinal GVHD whose abdominal pain required both hydromorphone and ketamine for a period of over four months.

There was no evidence of hepatotoxicity, hemorrhagic cystitis, or other adverse effects.

Possible withdrawal symptoms were mild and were readily mitigated by gradually weaning ketamine.