Unintentional ingestion of bupropion in children

The incidence of seizures after unintentional bupropion ingestion in children aged < 6 years has been reported as 0.2%. However, in many poison centers, > 80% of these patients are referred to the Emergency Department (ED) for evaluation.

To evaluate if all unintentional pediatric bupropion ingestions require referral to a health care facility (HCF), or what fraction of these could be managed safely at home.

A retrospective chart review was conducted of all bupropion ingestions in children aged < 6 years for 2000-2006 from four regional poison centers. Exclusion criteria were lack of follow-up or multiple drug ingestion.

Of 407 patients, 209 (51%) were male. Mean age was 2.2 years (SD +/- 1.0). There were 329 patients (81%) seen in a HCF, of which 143 (35%) were hospitalized; 77 patients (19%) were observed at home. Symptoms occurred in 73 patients (18%): sinus tachycardia (n = 50), nausea/vomiting (n = 32), hyperactivity (n = 17), seizure (n = 3), hallucinations (n = 2), and hypertension (n = 2). The mean heart rate of patients with sinus tachycardia (n = 50, 12.3%) was 137 beats/min (SD +/- 13), with a range of 112-172 beats/min. Mean dosage of those with tachycardia was 24 mg/kg. In the 2 patients with hypertension, the maximum recorded blood pressures were 145/80 mm Hg (2-year-old boy) and 137/90 mm Hg (2-year-old girl), with heart rates of 122 and 125 beats/min, respectively. Dose ingested and patient weight was known for 218 patients. Mean dosage ingested was 12.2 mg/kg, with a range of 2.6-64 mg/kg. Eighty-eight percent of patients with a known dosage ingested < 20 mg/kg.

A high percentage of children continue to be seen in a HCF. Concern from the higher incidence of severe effects seen with intentional adult exposures may be one of the reasons for this cautious approach.

Unintentional pediatric bupropion ingestions resulted in clinical effects that rarely required any HCF intervention. Isolated unintentional bupropion ingestion of