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Metoclopramide toxicity in an infant

K F Batts1, D W Munter

  • 1Emergency Medicine Department, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia 23708, USA.

Pediatric Emergency Care
|March 28, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Metoclopramide overdose in infants can cause serious extrapyramidal side effects. This case highlights the need for careful dosing in pediatric patients to prevent toxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Metoclopramide, a dopamine antagonist, is widely used in pediatrics for nausea and gastroesophageal reflux.
  • Its prokinetic and antiemetic properties stem from both central and peripheral actions.

Observation:

  • A six-month-old infant received a metoclopramide overdose of 24 mg (3 mg/kg) over nine hours.
  • The infant exhibited toxic extrapyramidal symptoms.

Findings:

  • Accidental metoclopramide overdose in infants can lead to severe extrapyramidal reactions.
  • This case represents a toxicity report not previously documented in emergency medicine literature.

Implications:

  • Emphasizes the critical need for precise metoclopramide dosing in pediatric patients.
  • Highlights potential risks of extrapyramidal symptoms in pediatric overdose cases.
  • Suggests increased awareness and vigilance regarding metoclopramide administration in infants.

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