Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
07:35

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Published on: July 8, 2025

Pediatric tramadol ingestion resulting in seizurelike activity: a case series

Suzan S Mazor1, Kenneth W Feldman, Naomi F Sugar

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA. Suzan.mazor@seattlechildrens.org

Pediatric Emergency Care
|June 20, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Tramadol overdose can cause seizures in infants. This study highlights tramadol poisoning as a key cause of seizures and dystonia in infants, necessitating its inclusion in differential diagnoses.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Clinical Toxicology

Background:

  • Tramadol is an analgesic medication with known risks of seizures.
  • Seizure risk is documented at therapeutic doses and in overdose scenarios.

Observation:

  • Two infant cases of tramadol poisoning were analyzed.
  • Both infants exhibited abnormal neurological symptoms, including seizures or seizure-like activity.

Findings:

  • Tramadol poisoning can manifest as seizures or seizure-like activity in infants.
  • Dystonia was also observed in conjunction with these neurological findings.

Implications:

  • Tramadol poisoning should be considered in the differential diagnosis for infants presenting with seizures.
  • This underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring for neurological adverse effects of tramadol in pediatric populations.

More Related Videos

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model07:06

Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model

Published on: June 12, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Seizures ll: Types01:19

Seizures ll: Types

Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical discharge in the brain that interfere with normal function. They are commonly divided into three groups: focal seizures, generalized seizures, and other types that do not fit neatly into either category.Focal SeizuresFocal seizures begin in a single brain region. When awareness is preserved, they are called focal aware seizures and may cause sensations such as tingling, unusual smells, or flashing lights. When awareness is impaired, they are...
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...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...