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Serum ethanol clearance in intoxicated children and adolescents presenting to the ED
1Department of Pediatrics, Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, USA.
Insights
Serum ethanol clearance rates in intoxicated children and adolescents are similar to adults. This indicates that the rate of intoxication diminishing in pediatric patients is comparable to that in adult patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Toxicology
- Pharmacokinetics
Background:
- Ethanol intoxication is a common presentation in emergency departments.
- Understanding ethanol clearance rates is crucial for managing intoxicated patients, especially children and adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the serum ethanol clearance rate in pediatric patients presenting with intoxication.
- To compare pediatric ethanol clearance rates with those previously reported for adults.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of 39 pediatric patients (6 weeks to 17 years) who presented to a university hospital emergency department (ED) with ethanol intoxication.
- Analysis of serial serum ethanol concentrations, initial glucose levels, and demographic data.
Main Results:
- The mean serum ethanol clearance rate was 4.0 mmol/L/hr (18.6 mg/dL/hr).
- This clearance rate is consistent with rates previously reported for adult populations.
- Initial serum ethanol levels ranged from 13.7 to 84.2 mmol/L (63-388 mg/dL).
Conclusions:
- Serum ethanol clearance in children and adolescents approximates that of adults.
- The rate of clinical improvement from ethanol intoxication is expected to be similar in pediatric and adult patients.
Objective:
To determine the rate of serum ethanol clearance in 39 children and adolescents who presented intoxicated to one ED.
Methods:
All pediatric patients presenting to a university hospital ED, for whom serial ethanol levels had been determined between January 1989 and May 1993, were evaluated. Age, gender, presenting complaint, initial serum glucose concentration, timed serum ethanol concentrations, and rate of serum clearance were determined retrospectively for all the patients.
Results:
39 pediatric patients had had serial serum ethanol concentrations determined. The patients ranged in age from 6 weeks to 17 years (mean 14.6 years). Initial serum ethanol levels ranged from 13.7 to 84.2 mmol/L (63-388 mg/dL) and the mean serum ethanol clearance rate was 4.0 mmol/L/hr (18.6 mg/dL/hr), consistent with clearance rates previously reported for adults.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that the rate of serum ethanol clearance in children and adolescents presenting to the ED approaches that previously reported for adults. Clinical diminution of intoxication should not be more rapid for children and adolescents than it is for adults.