[Status epilepticus in an asthmatic child].
BACKGROUND
Chronic administration of theophylline can be used for treating asthma; it may represent a severe risk when some other drugs are prescribed by unaware physicians.


METHODS
A 4 yr-8-mo-old boy was admitted suffering from status epilepticus which occurred 3 hours after vomiting. This patient had asthma and was given sustained-release formulation of theophylline and, independently by another physician, two anti-H1 drugs: ketotifen and mequitazine. Serum theophylline concentration measured 9 hours after the onset of vomiting was 28 micrograms/ml; the calculated concentrations were 45.3 +/- 4, 40.2 +/- 4 and 33.4 +/- 4 micrograms/ml after the last administration of theophylline, the onset of vomiting and the onset of seizures, respectively. The patient was given IV fluids plus clonazepam and recovered completely.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe poisoning can be seen with moderately increased blood levels of theophylline when this drug is chronically administered. Association of other drugs such as anti-H1 could represent an additional risk.
Service de pédiatrie, hôpital Nord, Marseille, France.
P
P
Casha
O
O
Bernard
M C
MC
Galland
P
P
Pisano
I
I
Koné-Paut
R
R
Vialet
A
A
Durand
J L
JL
Bernard
D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010640:Phenothiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D010640:Phenothiazines; D013806:Theophylline; D007665:Ketotifen; C006069:mequitazine
Etat de mal convulsif chez un enfant asthmatique.