Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 24, 2026

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
06:59

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings

Published on: November 9, 2016

Paracetamol overdose in children

A Kumar1, K M Goel, M D Rae

  • 1Department of Medical Paediatrics, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow.

Scottish Medical Journal
|August 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Paracetamol poisoning is generally less severe in children than adults. This report details benign pediatric ingestions and a unique case of prenatal exposure to a high paracetamol dose.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Toxicology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Pediatrics

Background:

  • Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a common over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic.
  • Acetaminophen overdose can lead to severe hepatotoxicity in adults.
  • Children are generally perceived as having a lower risk of toxicity compared to adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical outcomes of paracetamol ingestion in pediatric patients.
  • To investigate the safety profile of paracetamol in children.
  • To report a case of intrauterine paracetamol exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of pediatric cases with paracetamol ingestion.
  • Analysis of clinical data and laboratory results.
  • Case report of intrauterine exposure.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric paracetamol ingestions were generally associated with benign clinical courses.
  • One case of intrauterine exposure to a potentially toxic dose was identified.
  • No significant adverse events were noted in the described pediatric ingestions.

Conclusions:

  • Paracetamol poisoning in children often presents with less severe toxicity than in adults.
  • Intrauterine exposure warrants careful consideration.
  • Further research into pediatric acetaminophen metabolism and toxicity is beneficial.

More Related Videos

Adaptation of Microelectrode Array Technology for the Study of Anesthesia-induced Neurotoxicity in the Intact Piglet Brain08:23

Adaptation of Microelectrode Array Technology for the Study of Anesthesia-induced Neurotoxicity in the Intact Piglet Brain

Published on: May 12, 2018

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Splenectomy In Children: A Case Report with Literature Review05:06

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Splenectomy In Children: A Case Report with Literature Review

Published on: March 27, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
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...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies

Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...