Severe digoxin intoxication in a child treated by infusion of digoxin-specific Fab-antibody-fragments

Accidental digitalis ingestion in children is a rare, but potentially life-threatening emergency.We report the case of a 210/12-year-old boy with accidental ingestion of 6 mg -Acetyl-digoxin. Soon after admission, the boy developed sinus bradycardia, SA and AV-block, of increasing severity without circulatory impairment. As the serum digoxin level reached 21.7 ng/ml digoxin-specific Fab-antibody-fragments were used to bind free serum digoxin. Immediately after infusion, serum free digoxin was below the detection limit, whereas total digoxin peaked at 219 ng/ml 5 h thereafter. The arrhytmias did not subside totally, so that in addition, a transvenous pacemaker was placed, but never used.The antibody-infusion was well tolerated and the boy was discharged in good health.     

Digoxin toxicity in a premature infant: Treatment with Fab fragments of digoxin-specific antibodies

Summary The first use of Fab fragments to treat digoxin toxicity in a premature infant with renal failure, 18 h after the onset of severe arrhythmias, is reported with dramatic results. The development of digoxin toxicity in the context of accepted therapeutic dosing to treat heart failure due to a cerebral arteriovenous malformation is discussed.     

Near fatal acute colchicine intoxication in a child. A case report

An 8-year-old child with familial Mediterranean fever exhibited signs of colchicine intoxication while receiving prophylactic doses of the drug. She developed gastro-intestinal, central nervous system, cardiovascular and haematological disturbances. Over 2 months she had been drinking high doses of natural grapefruit juice which, combined with long-term colchicine therapy and a viral upper respiratory tract infection, increased her susceptibility to the drug. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time colchicine intoxication in this age group has been described in the English literature. Received: 24 January 2000 / Accepted: 15 May 2000     

Seizures associated with poisoning in children: tricyclic antidepressant intoxication

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of seizure due to poisoning. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis, throughout 4 years of hospital admissions for poisoning. Data of patients with seizures due to poisoning were evaluated with respect to the causes, frequencies and complications of seizures. RESULTS: Among the 1561 admissions due to intoxication during the review period, seizures developed in 26 cases (1.6%). Tricyclic antidepressant overdose (n = 11, 42%) was the leading cause of seizure due to poisoning. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were observed in 24 patients. Status epilepticus developed in six patients (23%). Mechanical ventilation was applied in 12 (46%) patients. Cardiac complications were observed in 11 (42%) patients with seizures. Two patients who had cardiac arrest due to acepromazine maleate and imipramine intoxication died. CONCLUSION: One of the causes of seizures in pediatric age group is intoxication. Seizures due to intoxications may cause serious clinical conditions. Intoxications should be thought when a patient is admitted with the diagnosis of afebrile seizure even if there is no history of drug intake.     

Massive hepatosplenomegaly in a child with malaria

Hypermalarial splenomegaly syndrome (HMS) usually occurs in adults living in malaria-endemic areas. A 7-year-old girl presented with a 7-week history of gradual distention of the abdomen and low grade fever, 8 months after traveling to Ghana, and was subsequently diagnosed with HMS. Presentation at such a young age after very brief exposure to a malaria-endemic area has not been described previously.     

血液灌流治疗重度毒鼠强中毒24例

目的　探讨血液灌流 (HP)治疗重度毒鼠强中毒的疗效。方法　将 1999年 1月～ 2 0 0 2年 12月重度毒鼠强中毒 4 8例患儿分HP组和常规组。常规组采用洗胃、导泻、止痉、降颅内压、二巯基丙磺酸钠综合治疗 ;HP组在综合治疗基础上加用HP治疗。结果　HP组抢救成功例数高于常规组 (χ2 =8.17　P <0 .0 1)。HP组较常规组更能明显缩短患儿抽搐时间 (t =11.0 0　P <0 .0 1)、昏迷时间 (t =9.32　P <0 .0 1)、住院时间 (t =3.6 7　P <0 .0 1) ,且在中毒 6h内行HP治疗者 ,存活率明显增加。结论　HP是抢救重度毒鼠强中毒的有效方法     

Severe lithium intoxication in a child

A mentally retarded six-year-old child became severely intoxicated with lithium carbonate whilst on maintenance lithio-therapy for control of aggressive behaviour in an institutional setting. His lithium level of 5.15 mmol/l returned to normal after two weeks. Treatment consisted of an initial saline infusion but was otherwise supportive. Although lithium toxicity is rare in children this may be because it has been used infrequently and cautiously. We feel his young age and situation accounted for some of the severity of his intoxication, and wish to stress the potential toxicity of lithium when used under these circumstances.     

Aluminum intoxication in a child: treatment with intraperitoneal desferrioxamine

We report the successful chelation of aluminum and the clinical resolution of severe aluminum intoxication in an infant receiving chronic peritoneal dialysis through the use of intraperitoneal desferrioxamine. Following the introduction of desferrioxamine, urine and dialysate fluid aluminum levels exceeded those noted without the chelating agent, thus demonstrating enhanced removal of aluminum. As a result of therapy, plasma and bone aluminum levels decreased markedly, and previously noted histomorphometric abnormalities on bone biopsy resolved. Clinically, the aluminum-associated osteomalacia and microcytic hypochromic anemia completely reversed. Moderate developmental delay has also improved slightly but persists. Our experience suggests that intraperitoneal chelation therapy with desferrioxamine may be helpful to reverse aluminum intoxication in children with chronic renal failure. However, limited exposure to aluminum should remain a primary goal.     

Acute vitamin D intoxication in a child

We present the unique case of a previously healthy, 2-year-old boy with resistant hypercalcemia and hypertension resulting from an unintentional overdose with an imported vitamin D supplement. The patient presented initially to the emergency department with colic and constipation and was discharged after a benign physical examination. The symptoms persisted and, on the second visit, the patient was found to have a serum calcium level of 14.4 mg/dL. Despite therapy with intravenously administered 5% dextrose solution at one-half normal strength, furosemide, calcitonin, and hydrocortisone, the calcium concentration increased to 15.0 mg/dL on the second hospital day and did not decrease until the fourth hospital day, when it fell to 13.9 mg/dL. The vitamin D concentration peaked at 470 ng/mL on hospital day 3. With additional questioning, the mother revealed that she had been giving her son a daily dose of 1 ampule of Raquiferol, an imported vitamin D supplement, instead of the recommended 2 drops per day. Each ampule contained 600,000 IU of vitamin D; therefore, the boy received a total of 2,400,000 IU over 4 days. The patient's hypercalcemia persisted for 14 days and was complicated by persistent hypertension. No renal, cardiac, or neurologic complications were noted. At discharge, the vitamin D concentration was still elevated at 389 ng/mL and the total calcium level had decreased to 11 mg/dL. The boy made a complete clinical recovery. This case highlights the need for caution when using imported and/or unregulated medicines, as well as the dangers of parental dosing errors.