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Baclofen poisoning in children
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa.
Insights
Acute baclofen overdose in children causes rapid central nervous system and respiratory depression. Supportive care effectively managed all cases, highlighting the need for safe medication storage.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Baclofen (Lioresal) is a muscle relaxant prescribed for spasticity.
- Accidental overdose in children poses significant risks.
- Understanding overdose effects is crucial for timely intervention.
Observation:
- Six pediatric cases of acute baclofen overdose were analyzed.
- All patients exhibited central nervous system depression.
- Respiratory depression, agitation, convulsions, and ataxia were observed.
Findings:
- Rapid onset of CNS and respiratory depression was a consistent finding.
- All children recovered with supportive management.
- Accurate quantification of ingested baclofen was not feasible.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the critical need for enhanced education on safe drug storage and disposal practices for households with children.
- Highlights the effectiveness of supportive care in managing baclofen overdose.
- Underscores the importance of prompt recognition and management of baclofen toxicity in pediatric patients.
Abstract:
Six cases of acute baclofen (LIORESAL) overdose in children are reported. Rapid onset of central nervous system depression with respiratory depression was present to a greater or lesser degree in all patients. Agitation, convulsions and ataxia were also seen. The entire cohort responded to supportive management. An accurate assessment of the quantity of drug ingested was not possible. The need for education on safe drug storage and disposal is emphasized.