Mebendazole poisoning in infancy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Toxicology
• Neonatal Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Mebendazole is an anthelmintic medication commonly used in children.
• Infants may be at increased risk for adverse effects due to immature metabolic pathways.
• Neurotoxicity is a known, albeit rare, complication of mebendazole therapy.

Observation:

• An 8-week-old infant experienced accidental mebendazole poisoning.
• The infant presented with severe symptoms including respiratory arrest, tachyarrhythmia, and continuous seizures.
• This clinical presentation highlights the potential neurotoxic effects of mebendazole in early infancy.

Findings:

• Exchange transfusion was successfully employed as a critical intervention.
• This procedure effectively removed mebendazole from the infant's system, acting as a life-saving measure.
• The case demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of exchange transfusion in managing severe mebendazole toxicity.

Implications:

• Exchange transfusion should be considered as a therapeutic option for mebendazole elimination in infants with severe poisoning.
• This approach may mitigate life-threatening neurotoxic effects.
• Further research into the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of mebendazole in neonates and infants is warranted.