Prolonged coma in a child due to hashish ingestion with quantitation of THC metabolites in urine.
BACKGROUND
Cannabinoid-containing substances are commonly abused worldwide. Significant toxicity from these substances is uncommon in adults but can result in significant symptoms in children; these symptoms are usually short-lived.


OBJECTIVE
To report a case of prolonged mental status alteration of more than 2 days in a child who ingested hashish.


METHODS
A 14-month-old child presented comatose to a pediatric emergency department after ingestion of hashish; she did not regain consciousness for more than 48 h. Quantitative testing of the child's urine for a tetrahydrocannabinol metabolite revealed a markedly elevated level, the decline of which coincided with the child's clinical improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant ingestion of cannabinoid-containing substances is capable of causing prolonged symptoms (including coma) in children.
Carstairs
Shaun D
SD
Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.
Fujinaka
Michael K
MK
Keeney
Grant E
GE
Ly
Binh T
BT
D000284:Administration, Oral; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D002188:Cannabis / Q000506:poisoning*; D003128:Coma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant
D015415:Biomarkers; D013759:Dronabinol