| Title | Accidental dextromethorphan ingestions in children less than 5 years old. | | Author(s) | Lovecchio F, Pizon A, Matesick L, O'Patry S | | Institution | Department of Medical Toxicology, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ. | | Source | J Med Toxicol 2008 Dec; 4(4):251-3. | | Abstract | Introduction: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical presentation of accidental dextromethorphan (DXM) ingestions in children <5 years old. Two consecutive years of poison center patient encounters were reviewed. Data including age, outcomes, amount of DXM ingested, co-ingestions, vital signs, clinical manifestations, hospital admissions, and mortality were abstracted. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Discussion: A total of 304 cases were identified with a mean age of 28.2 months (72% were >/=23 months). All cases co-ingested other products of over-the-counter cough and cold medications (i.e., acetaminophen, pseudoephedrine, guaifenesin, ibuprofen, various H1 receptor antagonists, and very infrequently ethanol). The mean DXM dose ingested was 35.0 mg (2.64 mg/kg). Of the patients, 62 (20.4%) experienced lethargy as the sole neurological sign and no patient had any cardiovascular abnormalities. Only 1 (13-monthold) patient, who ingested 3.2 mg/kg and presented with lethargy, was hospitalized and subsequently discharged 14 hours later. No deaths were recorded.
Conclusion: As demonstrated in our patient population, accidental ingestions of DXM in the pediatric patient did well with supportive care alone and rarely required inpatient treatment. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 19031376 |
|
