Gamma-hydroxybutyrate poisoning from toy beads.
A 2-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with a decreased level of consciousness. The girl had had persistent vomiting and a seizure. Urine metabolic screening tests were positive for gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). Samples from toy beads ingested by both children contained 1,4-butanediol, which is metabolised to GHB in humans. Regulatory authorities were notified, leading to an international recall of the toy beads.
Gunja
Naren
N
NSW Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia. NarenG@chw.edu.au
Doyle
Evelyn
E
Carpenter
Kevin
K
Chan
Olivia T
OT
Gilmore
Simon
S
Browne
Gary
G
Graudins
Andis
A
D001315:Australia; D002072:Butylene Glycols / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000652:urine; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000139:chemically induced
D002072:Butylene Glycols; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D012978:Sodium Oxybate; C039681:1,4-butanediol