Accidental ingestion of Ecstasy by a toddler: unusual cause for convulsion in a febrile child.

Cooper, A J; Egleston, C V

doi:10.1136/emj.14.3.183

Cited by 28 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Of the 69 cases, 17 were female, 52 male; 66 were aged between 16 and 36, with two cases involving accidental ingestion by young children [65,66], and one involving a 53-year-old male [67]. The overall outcome of the episode was not reported in two cases; of the remaining 67 cases, 32 (48%) resulted in death.…”

Section: Acute Adverse Effects Involving Hyperthermiamentioning

confidence: 83%

“…We identified from published reports 69 separate cases of acute reactions to ecstasy involving hyperthermia, defined by a recorded body temperature above 38AE C or a specific statement that the case involved hyperthermia or pyrexia. Of the 69 cases, 17 were female, 52 male; 66 were aged between 16 and 36, with two cases involving accidental ingestion by young children [65,66], and one involving a 53-year-old male [67]. The overall outcome of the episode was not reported in two cases; of the remaining 67 cases, 32 (48%) resulted in death.…”

Section: Acute Adverse Effects Involving Hyperthermiamentioning

confidence: 99%

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The health effects of ecstasy: a literature review

Gowing¹,

Henry-Edwards

Irvine

et al. 2002

Drug and Alcohol Review

136

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Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) is the third most used illicit drug, after cannabis and amphetamines. There has been considerable interest in the adverse effects of use, with particular attention given to a small number of deaths related to ecstasy use, and the neurotoxic effects of MDMA. This paper reviews case reports of adverse effects attributed to ecstasy use, and the findings of animal and human studies, so as to identify the health effects of ecstasy use, and factors contributing to their occurrence. The incidence of serious acute adverse events related to ecstasy is low. It is the unpredictability of those adverse events and the risk of mortality and substantial morbidity that makes the health consequences of ecstasy significant. Hyperthermia and hyponatraemia are the most significant acute adverse effects, and can occur even when MDMA is the only drug used. Ecstasy users should be aware of the importance of controlling body temperature and fluid intake, early signs of adverse effects, and the need to seek medical assistance promptly. Neurotoxicity is potentially the most significant long-term effect of ecstasy. The clinical implications of neurotoxicity are uncertain at this time, but short-term memory impairment may be significant.

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Section: Acute Adverse Effects Involving Hyperthermiamentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Acute Adverse Effects Involving Hyperthermiamentioning

confidence: 99%

The health effects of ecstasy: a literature review

Gowing¹,

Henry-Edwards

Irvine

et al. 2002

Drug and Alcohol Review

136

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…4,5 The ingested maximum dose of 3,4 methylenedioximethylamphetamine (MDMA) can be located between 79 and 109 mg. This dose could be lethal compared to adults.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accidental Ecstasy Poisoning in a Toddler

Melián¹,

Burillo-Putze²,

Campo³

et al. 2004

Pediatric Emergency Care

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A child of 14 months accidentally swallowed a portion of an Ecstasy pill. Forty minutes after ingestion, he started a generalized convulsion. He also presented hyperthermia (38 degrees C), hypertension, tachycardia (130 bpm), ventricular extrasystoles, tachypnea (50 rpm), and mydriasis. At the hospital 5 hours later, the urine levels of amphetamine/metamphetamine were >16 mg/L. He was treated with general support measures and benzodiazepines intravenously and admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. During the first 12 hours, he continued with hypertension, tachycardia, and long periods of trigeminy, without hemodynamic repercussion. He was discharged fully recovered. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis (8 hours after ingestion) showed a serum level of 3,4 methylenedioximethylamphetamine (MDMA) of 0.591 mg/L. The 3 cases described in the literature have shown a good evolution of Ecstasy poisoning in toddlers and infants, despite an initial critical situation. Regarding adults, the toddler intoxication seems to present symptoms sooner (20 to 30 minutes), having as an initial manifestation convulsions. However, great care must be taken on accidental ingestion of these attractive design pills.

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“…Public awareness was heightened when there were reports in the press of an actor's 2‐year‐old daughter who swallowed an Ecstasy tablet at a party [6]. However, severe Ecstasy toxicity is surprisingly rare in children and few cases have been reported in the literature [7–11]. In these reports the intoxication seems to present with symptoms sooner in children (20–30 min) than in adults, with convulsions being the initial manifestation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This may be part of a central serotonergic overstimulation [7], and may be exacerbated by environmental factors when ‘recreational’ users excessively exert themselves in warm, crowded settings such as dance clubs or raves [12, 19]. The aetiology of the hyperthermia seen in the paediatric cases is unknown, but it should be noted that in this case report the recorded temperature was 38.5 °C; on review of the literature [7–11] the highest temperature recorded in children was only 39 °C [9]. It seems likely that the moderately elevated temperatures are mainly a result of the metabolic activity generated by the seizures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Severe Ecstasy poisoning in a toddler

Duffy¹,

Swart

2006

Anaesthesia

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Summary A 17‐month‐old toddler became critically ill after an accidental overdose with ‘Ecstasy’. A single tablet was quickly retrieved intact from under her tongue, but within 5 min the child developed generalised tonic‐clonic seizures requiring immediate transfer to hospital. She also had hyperthermia (38.5 °C), tachycardia (150 beats.min−1) and hypertension. Treatment to terminate the seizures necessitated intubation and ventilation, and cooling measures brought the temperature within normal limits. The child was admitted to the intensive care unit and made a rapid recovery. She was discharged to the ward 12 h later, and had no long‐term sequelae.

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Accidental ingestion of Ecstasy by a toddler: unusual cause for convulsion in a febrile child.

Cited by 28 publications

References 7 publications

The health effects of ecstasy: a literature review

The health effects of ecstasy: a literature review

Accidental Ecstasy Poisoning in a Toddler

Severe Ecstasy poisoning in a toddler

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