Hypoglycemia after albuterol overdose in a pediatric patient.
Albuterol overdose can lead to tachycardia, hypotension, tremor, hypokalemia, and hyperglycemia in children. Hypoglycemia had been previously reported in only one child. We describe a 3-year-old boy who ingested high-dose albuterol in this report. On arrival to the emergency department, the child was agitated and had noticeable restlessness, sinus tachycardia, mild hypokalemia (3.2 mEq/L), and hyperglycemia (187 mg/dL). Activated charcoal and intravenous hydration were given, and electrocardiogram monitoring was performed. Sinus tachycardia resolved within 4 to 6 hours. Hypoglycemia (45 mg/dL) was identified 4 hours after admission. The child recovered uneventfully within 24 hours with glucose replacement. This case suggests that hypoglycemia could be a late complication of acute albuterol overdose; thus, the period of observation should be extended in these cases.
Ozdemir
Durgul
D
Department of Pediatrics, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. durgulozdemir@yahoo.com
Yilmaz
Ebru
E
Duman
Murat
M
Unal
Nurettin
N
Tuncok
Yesim
Y
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000420:Albuterol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005947:Glucose / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000139:chemically induced; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology; D013616:Tachycardia, Sinus / Q000139:chemically induced; D013997:Time Factors; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D002606:Charcoal; D006003:Glycogen; D005947:Glucose; D000420:Albuterol