Pediatric benzodiazepine ingestion resulting in hospitalization

Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology
C C Wiley, J F Wiley

Abstract

To characterize the clinical findings in children hospitalized for benzodiazepine ingestion. Retrospective case series in two urban children's hospitals, with no intervention. Suicide attempts and polypharmacy ingestions were excluded. Forty-six children (67% male) with a mean age of 36 months (range 14-127 months) were hospitalized from January 1987 through September 1994. Lorazepam was most frequently ingested (13/41 identified drugs, 32%). The most prevalent symptoms were ataxia (87%), lethargy (57%), coma (Glasgow coma score < 15, 35%; Reed coma score > 0, 22%), and respiratory depression (9%). Duration of symptoms was less than 24 hours in 88% of patients. Isolated ataxia occurred in eight patients; in five of these patients, benzodiazepine ingestion was unsuspected by the physicians. Three parents intentionally administered the benzodiazepine to their child. Only 50% of 32 toxicology screens were positive for benzodiazepines. One child required endotracheal intubation. Flumazenil administration preceded clinical improvement in two other children. The remaining patients received activated charcoal administration and supportive care. Children hospitalized for benzodiazepine overdose occasionally had life-threatening symptom...Continue Reading

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Citations

Apr 26, 2012·Pediatric Emergency Care·Allyson A KreshakF Lee Cantrell
Jan 5, 2002·Pharmacotherapy·C J Teter, S K Guthrie
May 21, 2013·Pediatric Neurology·Harry T WhelanStephen Ashwal
Nov 22, 2007·Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·Mary Margaret GleasonCharles H Zeanah
Apr 21, 2017·Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care·Emilie L Setlakwe, Amy L Johnson
Sep 26, 2019·Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods·Hiroshi TsutsumiYoko Nishitani
Jan 13, 2000·Diseases of the Esophagus : Official Journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus·S J WalkerN Birbeck
Nov 13, 2007·Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·Nadereh PouratMeghan Cameron
May 2, 2020·International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy·Mei Yee HonNoraida Mohamed Shah

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