Clonidine poisoning in Jefferson County, Alabama
M H Nichols1, W D King, L P James
1Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA.
Annals of Emergency Medicine
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Clonidine ingestion is common in young children, often from grandparents' medications. Most children experienced decreased consciousness, and naloxone was ineffective in treating clonidine toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Toxicology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Clonidine ingestion poses a significant risk to young children.
- Understanding the epidemiology and clinical effects is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- Describe clonidine-related hospitalizations in children.
- Evaluate naloxone efficacy for clonidine toxicity.
- Review clinical effects of clonidine poisoning.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 80 children under 6 years old.
- Data collected over a 6-year period in a pediatric emergency department.
- Involved analysis of clinical presentation, vital signs, and treatment response.
Main Results:
- Clonidine sources often included grandmother's medication (54%).
- Black children had higher hospitalization rates for clonidine ingestion.
- Decreased consciousness (96%) was the most frequent symptom; naloxone showed no significant response in 84% of treated patients.
Conclusions:
- Clonidine ingestion is prevalent and requires medical attention.
- Serious clinical effects necessitate prompt healthcare facility triage.
- Naloxone's role as an antidote for clonidine toxicity remains uncertain.
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