Accidental childhood death from diphenhydramine overdosage.
A 15-month-old boy presented to an emergency department with tonic clonic jerking of all extremities and dancing eye movements. A history of instant coffee ingestion was obtained at that time. However, a routine blood analysis and toxicology screen showed a diphenhydramine level of 1.0 mg% (lethal, 0.5 mg%). Generalized tonic clonic seizures continued despite conventional therapy. A continuous thiopental infusion was used to control his seizure activity. This child never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead 7 days postingestion.
Goetz
C M
CM
Pittsburgh Poison Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
Lopez
G
G
Dean
B S
BS
Krenzelok
E P
EP
D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality
D004155:Diphenhydramine