Serum ethanol clearance in intoxicated children and adolescents presenting to the ED.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the rate of serum ethanol clearance in 39 children and adolescents who presented intoxicated to one ED.


METHODS
All pediatric patients presenting to a university hospital ED, for whom serial ethanol levels had been determined between January 1989 and May 1993, were evaluated. Age, gender, presenting complaint, initial serum glucose concentration, timed serum ethanol concentrations, and rate of serum clearance were determined retrospectively for all the patients.


RESULTS
39 pediatric patients had had serial serum ethanol concentrations determined. The patients ranged in age from 6 weeks to 17 years (mean 14.6 years). Initial serum ethanol levels ranged from 13.7 to 84.2 mmol/L (63-388 mg/dL) and the mean serum ethanol clearance rate was 4.0 mmol/L/hr (18.6 mg/dL/hr), consistent with clearance rates previously reported for adults.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that the rate of serum ethanol clearance in children and adolescents presenting to the ED approaches that previously reported for adults. Clinical diminution of intoxication should not be more rapid for children and adolescents than it is for adults.
Simon
H K
HK
Department of Pediatrics, Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, USA.
Cox
J M
JM
Sucov
A
A
Linakis
J G
JG
D000293:Adolescent; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000097:blood*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001786:Blood Glucose; D000431:Ethanol