Intravenous paracetamol toxicity in a malnourished child

Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2012 Jan;50(1):74-6. doi: 10.3109/15563650.2011.631189. Epub 2011 Nov 24.

Abstract

We present a case of intravenous (IV) paracetamol overdose in a nutritionally malnourished child during hospital admission. A ten-fold IV paracetamol dosing error ocurred, with delayed recognition and treatment resulting in transient hepatotoxicity, with a peak alanine transaminase (ALT) of 1378 IU/L in a 3-year-old child. Our case suggests that hepatotoxicity may occur for lower doses of IV paracetamol compared to oral ingestion, especially in the malnourished, and that a dose less than 150 mg/kg of IV paracetamol should be used to define treatment following overdose in a child with potential nutritional deficiencies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / administration & dosage
  • Acetaminophen / poisoning*
  • Acetylcysteine / therapeutic use
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / toxicity*
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Child Nutrition Disorders / complications*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Delayed Diagnosis / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Medication Errors / adverse effects

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Acetaminophen
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Acetylcysteine