Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Induction and Monitoring of Active Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) in Rats
13:26

Induction and Monitoring of Active Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) in Rats

Published on: July 19, 2007

Diphenhydramine toxicity in a child with varicella. A case report

K P McGann1, S Pribanich, J A Graham

  • 1Department of Family and Community Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1084.

The Journal of Family Practice
|August 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

A child with chickenpox experienced severe symptoms due to diphenhydramine toxicity from excessive syrup use. This case highlights the critical need for careful medication dosing in pediatric patients to prevent adverse drug events.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Varicella (chickenpox) can lead to severe complications.
  • Drug toxicity is a potential risk, especially with over-the-counter medications.
  • Accurate medication dosing is crucial in young children.

Observation:

  • A 19-month-old child presented with abnormal behavior, dilated pupils, ataxia, urinary retention, and facial grimacing.
  • Symptoms emerged after parents administered acetaminophen, diphenhydramine syrup, and topical treatments for varicella.
  • Initial lab tests were normal; the child recovered without intervention.

Findings:

  • The child's elevated serum diphenhydramine level was 1948 ng/mL.
  • Diphenhydramine levels exceeding 100 ng/mL are associated with toxicity.
  • The observed symptoms were consistent with diphenhydramine overdose.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the danger of excessive diphenhydramine administration in children.
  • Healthcare providers should educate parents on safe medication practices and potential toxicity.
  • Monitoring and awareness of drug levels are vital in pediatric adverse event cases.

More Related Videos

Development of an IFN-γ ELISpot Assay to Assess Varicella-Zoster Virus-specific Cell-mediated Immunity Following Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation08:04

Development of an IFN-γ ELISpot Assay to Assess Varicella-Zoster Virus-specific Cell-mediated Immunity Following Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation

Published on: July 9, 2014

Effects of Exposure of Formaldehyde to a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Neonatal Capsaicin Treatment06:47

Effects of Exposure of Formaldehyde to a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Neonatal Capsaicin Treatment

Published on: September 27, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Allergic Reactions02:06

Allergic Reactions

Overview
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment01:26

Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment

Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.     
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions01:30

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios

Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...
Diphtheria01:28

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...
Chickenpox01:20

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...