Accidental ingestion of Ecstasy in a toddler.
Toddlers who ingest the drug of abuse 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'Ecstasy') are at particularly high risk of serious neurological and cardiovascular side effects. We report of a 20-month-old male toddler who accidentally ingested Ecstasy. He presented with fever and seizures, tachycardia, hypertension, and hyperthermia. Urine amphetamine level was 2111 ng/mL. Treatment included rapid cooling, hydration, and support measures. Vital signs were regularly monitored. His condition became stable on day 2 and urine amphetamine level returned to normal on day 3 of hospitalization. His behavior, activity, and appetite had returned to their usual levels upon follow-up at our outpatient clinic. The incidence of drug abuse with MDMA has increased dramatically over the last decade in developed countries. It can be expected that accidental Ecstasy poisoning in children will increase as well. This case illustrates the need to consider the possibility of accidental Ecstasy ingestion in the differential diagnosis of a child suffering from convulsions with fever.
Chang
Yi-Jung
YJ
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Lai
Ming-Wei
MW
Kong
Man-Shan
MS
Chao
Hsun-Chin
HC
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000506:poisoning*; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000139:chemically induced
D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine