A new emerging problem in pediatric emergency units: Synthetic cannabinoids

Abstract

Synthetic cannabinoids or synthetic marijuana derivatives known as "Bonzai" in Turkey are addictive substances that affect the brain and have serious side effects. In recent years, the use of these substances has also been increasing in our country as well as all over the world. These substances present with various names and brands, the most common names in Turkey are "Bonzai" and "Jamaika". In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical findings of these patients. We retrospectively evaluated patients admitted to our pediatric emergency department between March 2013 and March 2015 due to the complaints developing after the use of "Bonzai" in terms of age, gender, admission date, complaint, clinical findings, laboratory findings, consuming method of the substance, additional substance use, observation durations, hospitalization status and mortality rates. The most common complaint was faintness and drowsiness. Changes in the state of consciousness, tachycardia, hypertension were the most common clinical findings. Most common consuming method of the drug was in the form of smoking. The rate of "Bonzai" use among adolescents is increasing every day. Physicians in emergency departments should be educated on this issue and it must be kept in mind that most of the patients admitted are with complaints related to changes in the cognitive state (of consciousness) but they can also apply with complaints about all other systems.

Yanıkların Yıkıcı Bir Nedeni: Sentetik Kannabinoid Suistimali

“…The most common complications are tachycardia, lethargy, and agitation [10]; catatonia and seizures have also been reported. Lethargy, catatonia, and seizures were the main reasons for burns in our study All the patients except from one fell onto fire due to depressed motor and mental functions after synthetic cannabinoid use.In fact, these depressant effects are commonly reported by both the public and health care providers in our country, as these cannabinoid users are commonly found disoriented, disorganized, and drowsy in the streets [13]. Synthetic cannabinoids are reported to be used more frequently by males, adolescents, young adults, and those who use cannabis and other drugs [12].…”

Bonzai Unusual Effects: A Case Report

“…Ayrıca kronik kullanım durumlarında da bradikardi ve postural hipotansiyon olduğu bildirilmiştir. 5 Ancak hastaların genelinde kan basıncı ve kalp hızında artış gibi sempatik etkiler daha sık görülür. 6 Bu bilgiler ışığında bilinç değişikliği ve bradikardisi olan hastamızın yüksek doz Bonzai aldığı yorumunu yapabiliriz.…”

Identification of Substance Abuse Among Children in a Pediatric Emergency Department

“…The most common presenting symptoms among patients on admission were unstable cognitive conditions (drowsiness, clouding of consciousness, confusion and secondary aggression, anxiety and restlessness) and tachycardia. Only one patient had The mean duration of the observation was 11.5(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21) hours. No mortality was observed.…”