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Four children with colchicine poisoning

Bülent Ataş1, Hüseyin Caksen, Oğuz Tuncer

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Yüzüncü Yil University, Van, Turkey. bulentatas@hotmail.com

Human & Experimental Toxicology
|August 18, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Colchicine poisoning in children is rare but can cause severe multiorgan issues. Delayed hospital admission significantly increases the risk of mortality in pediatric colchicine overdose cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Toxicology
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Colchicine poisoning is uncommon but associated with severe outcomes due to multiorgan involvement.
  • Understanding the spectrum of colchicine toxicity in children is crucial for timely intervention.

Observation:

  • Four pediatric cases of colchicine poisoning are presented, with ages ranging from 1 to 3.5 years.
  • Ingested colchicine dosages varied from 0.37 to 1.72 mg/kg.
  • Patients exhibited common colchicine poisoning symptoms including gastrointestinal distress, hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, hypocalcemia, and hair loss.

Findings:

  • Two children who received 0.37 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg of colchicine died.
  • Mortality appeared linked not only to the ingested dose but also to the time elapsed before hospital admission.

Implications:

  • Colchicine poisoning presents a broad clinical spectrum in pediatric patients.
  • Prompt medical attention following colchicine ingestion is critical for improving prognosis in children.
  • Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential severity and delayed complications of pediatric colchicine overdose.

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