title: Chloroquine poisoning: ventricular fibrillation following 'trivial' overdose in a child.
abstract: A 13-year-old boy was admitted to hospital 45 min after the ingestion of approximately 750 mg of chloroquine base. A few minutes after gastric lavage with warm water he developed ventricular fibrillation from which he was promptly resuscitated. The plasma concentration of chloroquine was 4.2 mumol/l; significantly lower than the concentrations previously associated with a fatal outcome in adults. The clinical and electrocardiographic effects of chloroquine poisoning are discussed, and the literature reviewed regarding the role of specific management with diazepam and adrenaline infusions. A period of twenty four hours electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring and pulse oximetry in an intensive care unit is advocated for all patient with ECG changes following chloroquine overdose.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Whipp's Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, London, UK.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Collee
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Samra
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Hanson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000506:poisoning*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005751:Gastric Lavage; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D002738:Chloroquine; D008012:Lidocaine