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Prolonged coma in a child due to hashish ingestion with quantitation of THC metabolites in urine
Shaun D Carstairs1, Michael K Fujinaka, Grant E Keeney
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.
Background:
Cannabinoid-containing substances are commonly abused worldwide. Significant toxicity from these substances is uncommon in adults but can result in significant symptoms in children; these symptoms are usually short-lived.
Objectives:
To report a case of prolonged mental status alteration of more than 2 days in a child who ingested hashish.
Case Report:
A 14-month-old child presented comatose to a pediatric emergency department after ingestion of hashish; she did not regain consciousness for more than 48 h. Quantitative testing of the child's urine for a tetrahydrocannabinol metabolite revealed a markedly elevated level, the decline of which coincided with the child's clinical improvement.
Conclusions:
Significant ingestion of cannabinoid-containing substances is capable of causing prolonged symptoms (including coma) in children.
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