Sudden-onset tachypnea and confusion in a previously healthy teenager.
Acute intoxication with acetylsalicylic acid is a severe event commonly seen in children resulting from wide availability of this drug without prescription. Cases of self-poisoning resulting from overdose continue to occur and, although far less common, they are often severe and life-threatening. We report a 14-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department with tachypnea and altered mental status as a result of acetylsalicylic acid overdose in a suicide attempt. We discuss her presentation and the pathophysiological considerations leading to the management decisions taken during her emergency department stay, highlighting the role of the clinician and therapeutic drug monitoring consultant. The use of rapid decontamination with multiple doses of charcoal, even when more than 4 hours have passed since ingestion, and the use of urinary alkalinization are stressed. Timely management can obviate the need for dialysis. Published cases of acetylsalicylic acid intoxication are reviewed.
Glatstein
Miguel
M
Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. nopasara73@hotmail.com
Garcia-Bournissen
Facundo
F
Scolnik
Dennis
D
Rosenbloom
Ehud
E
Koren
Gideon
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D000931:Antidotes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003221:Confusion / Q000139:chemically induced*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000931:Antidotes; D002606:Charcoal; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D001241:Aspirin