Elevated lidocaine serum concentration after subcutaneous lidocaine administration using a needle-free device in pediatric patients

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2014 Nov;30(11):829-31. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000000178.

Abstract

We report several cases in which pediatric patients at our institution have elevated lidocaine levels in toxicology screens after subcutaneous injection of lidocaine using a needle-free device. The purpose of this article is to report 4 cases in which pediatric patients have elevated lidocaine levels in toxicology screens after J-Tip administration. In particular, the article highlights 2 cases in which children younger than 3 years had lidocaine levels in the toxic range. Although the literature has reported the device to be effective with no significant untoward effects in children as young as 3 years, it seems that no information is available for children younger than 3 years. From a quality assurance/safety perspective, a summary is provided as our institutional response to concerns raised over what is typically thought to be a benign and beneficial intervention in children.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anesthetics, Local / administration & dosage*
  • Anesthetics, Local / blood*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Equipment Design
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Injections, Subcutaneous / instrumentation
  • Lidocaine / administration & dosage*
  • Lidocaine / blood*
  • Male
  • Needles

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Lidocaine