**2.1 Intoxications**

Ingestion of a toxin represents approximately 30% of acute children ataxia cases [9]. The accidental ingestion of prescription and nonprescription medications is more frequent in children less than 6 years of age [9]. Benzodiazepines are the most common drug reported, nevertheless other medications such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, lamotrigine, dextromethorphan (main ingredient of cough suppressant) [10, 11] and antineoplastic or immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus may cause ataxia [12]. Toxic agents that may be related to ataxia include lithium, ethanol and marijuana [6, 13].

Toxin ingestion may manifest with ataxia associated with mental status changes such as lethargy, confusion, inappropriate speech, or impaired consciousness level. Toxicology screening tests are commonly performed in the initial evaluation of acute ataxia in children [14].
