We present the case of a 2-year-old asthmatic boy with atrioventricular (AV)-reentry tachycardia following albuterol inhalation, who was later diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. The Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale score for this adverse event was 7, indicating that the association between his AV-reentry tachycardia and inhalation of albuterol is probable. To our knowledge, this is the first case report that shows the potential arrhythmogenic effects of albuterol in a child with WPW syndrome. We urge clinicians to be aware of this potentially life-threatening adverse effect and to closely monitor these patients when they need beta-adrenergic drugs in case of emergency. Furthermore, this report highlights the dilemma regarding the safe treatment of pediatric patients with both asthma and WPW syndrome.
Abstract.Acute ingestion of thyroid hormone preparations is a common intoxication, with 181 cases
in children <12 yr in 2009 in the Netherlands, but generally has a mild course.
However, some reports show that even low dosages may cause serious events such as
seizures, thyroid storm and coma. We report a 3 yr old boy case with an acute intoxication
with high dose levothyroxine (0.5 mg/kg). We describe the proper management of
levothyroxine intoxication in children. A 3-year-old boy with no notable medical history
ingested sixty tablets of levothyroxine 150 µg. His vital-signs were normal and the only
symptom during admission was a tachycardia the following day. Laboratory data showed
elevated T3, fT3 and fT4 levels; and decrease TSH levels. He was treated prophylactically
and therapeutically with activated charcoal and propranolol. Despite very high levels, his
clinical symptoms were relatively mild. After clinical follow-up for 3 d he was
discharged. We propose that children with thyroid hormone intoxication with either a
levothyroxine dose >0.1 g/kg, a short interval since ingestion, symptomatic
presentation, and/or a fT4 >100 pmol/l should be monitored in the hospital during at
least 48–72 h post-ingestion and on an outpatient basis for 14 d.
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