Background: Oral nicotine pouches are pouches that contain varying amounts of nicotine. The use of nicotine pouches by adolescents has increased since 2020. Subsequently, there has been an increase in the amount of reports of nicotine intoxications. Acute nicotine intoxications have a biphasic clinical course, during which the initial symptoms may include agitation, tachycardia and vomiting. When large enough doses are used more serious symptoms may emerge. As well as the acute side effects, studies have shown that the use of oral nicotine pouches with tobacco is associated with a younger age at which cigarette smoking is initiated.
Patient description: A 9 year-old boy presented at the Emergency Department with symptoms of nausea, dizziness and shivering following the oral use of one nicotine pouch. Aside from tachycardia the physical examinations showed no abnormalities. The patient was diagnosed with an acute nicotine intoxication and was admitted to the paediatric department for 24 hours.
Conclusion: Oral nicotine pouches are commonly used by adolescents. Aside from the addictive nature of nicotine, it is important that clinicians are aware of the symptoms of acute and late-phase intoxications.