Publication

Abstract : Background: Kluver-Bucy syndrome (KBS), a symptom complex of hyperorality, dietary pattern changes, hypersexuality, memory disturbances, and visual agnosia, has been infrequently reported following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children. Materials and Methods: We report a 5-year-old girl presenting with KBS following moderate traumatic brain injury. A literature search was conducted in July 2022 and extended till February 2023 on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases using search terms “children” OR “child” OR “infant” OR “pediatric” OR “adolescent”) AND “Kluver-Bucy syndrome” AND “trauma.” Original research studies, case reports, and case series of children (<18 years of age) with KBS following TBI were identified and evaluated by two authors. Results: Of the 30 articles identified on screening, 12 studies were included and reviewed for phenotypic characterization. Including the index child, 33 children (21 boys) were identified with a median age at presentation of 14 years. Clinically, the commonly described findings were hyperorality (90.9%), placidity (87.9%), hypersexuality (69.7%), hypermetamorphosis (57.6%), dietary pattern changes (54.5%), visual agnosia (51.5%), and memory disturbances (45.5%). Neuroimaging abnormalities were reported in 24 children. Carbamazepine was somewhat useful in 4/5 children where it had been tried. Conclusions: KBS is rare in young children with TBI. A high degree of suspicion is required for the identification of this phenotype in young children. Symptoms are often transitory and carbamazepine may be useful.