Signs and symptoms of carbamazepine overdose in young children

Consensus Paper: Latent Autoimmune Cerebellar Ataxia (LACA)

Immune-mediated cerebellar ataxias (IMCAs) have diverse etiologies. Patients with IMCAs develop cerebellar symptoms, characterized mainly by gait ataxia, showing an acute or subacute clinical course. We present a novel concept of latent autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (LACA), analogous to latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). LADA is a slowly progressive form of autoimmune diabetes where patients are often initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The sole biomarker (serum anti-GAD antibody) is not always present or can fluctuate. However, the disease progresses to pancreatic beta-cell failure and insulin dependency within about 5 years. Due to the unclear autoimmune profile, clinicians often struggle to reach an early diagnosis during the period when insulin production is not severely compromised. LACA is also characterized by a slowly progressive course, lack of obvious autoimmune background, and difficulties in reaching a diagnosis in the absence of clear markers for IMCAs. The authors discuss two aspects of LACA: (1) the not manifestly evident autoimmunity and (2) the prodromal stage of IMCA's characterized by a period of partial neuronal dysfunction where non-specific symptoms may occur. In order to achieve an early intervention and prevent cell death in the cerebellum, identification of the time-window before irreversible neuronal loss is critical. LACA occurs during this time-window when possible preservation of neural plasticity exists. Efforts should be devoted to the early identification of biological, neurophysiological, neuropsychological, morphological (brain morphometry), and multimodal biomarkers allowing early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention and to avoid irreversible neuronal loss.

Management of acute carbamazepine poisoning: A narrative review

Standard management protocols are lacking and specific antidotes are unavailable for acute carbamazepine (CBZ) poisoning. The objective of this review is to provide currently available information on acute CBZ poisoning, including its management, by describing and summarizing various therapeutic methods for its treatment according to previously published studies. Several treatment methods for CBZ poisoning will be briefly introduced, their advantages and disadvantages will be analyzed and compared, and suggestions for the clinical treatment of CBZ poisoning will be provided. A literature search was performed in various English and Chinese databases. In addition, the reference lists of identified articles were screened for additional relevant studies, including non-indexed reports. Non-peer-reviewed sources were also included. In the present review, 154 articles met the inclusion criteria including case reports, case series, descriptive cohorts, pharmacokinetic studies, and in vitro studies. Data on 67 patients, including 4 fatalities, were reviewed. Based on the summary of cases reported in the included articles, the cure rate of CBZ poisoning after symptomatic treatment was 82% and the efficiency of hemoperfusion was 58.2%. Based on the literature review, CBZ is moderately dialyzable and the recommendation for CBZ poisoning is supportive management and gastric lavage. In severe cases, extracorporeal treatment is recommended, with hemodialysis as the first choice.

Carbamazepine Toxicity Masquerading as Complex Febrile Seizures in a Pediatric Patient

Carbamazepine is an antiepileptic drug that can cause seizures in overdose. In certain patient populations, this may be misdiagnosed as a seizure disorder. We describe a case of a 20-month-old female who presented with fever and seizure-like activity who was initially thought to have complex febrile seizures. Further historical information prompted carbamazepine level to be checked, which was found to be 29 mcg/ml (therapeutic range of 4–12 mcg/ml). Her carbamazepine levels downtrended with multidose activated charcoal. Her condition improved, and she was discharged without evidence of permanent neurologic sequelae. This case illustrates that xenobiotic exposure should often be considered, even if historical clues are not present, as they can often present as other conditions leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

Central nervous system-active drug abused and overdose in children: a worldwide exploratory study using the WHO pharmacovigilance database

Recent epidemiological studies have reported an increase in central nervous system (CNS)-active drug abuse rates in paediatric settings, raising several public health concerns. No study to date has explored this issue worldwide. We performed an extensive analysis of drugs abuse/overdose reported for children in the last decade by using the largest pharmacovigilance database, i.e. the VigiBase, collecting adverse drug reaction reports that involved at least one suspect drug belonging to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical code "Nervous System" through the Standardised Medical Dictionary for Drug Regulatory Affairs Queries for Drug abuse. 8.682 reports matched our criteria. An increase in reporting activity was observed, starting from 2014; an intentional overdose was reported more frequently than an accidental one, with a difference between age groups. We retrieved 997 reports with death outcome. These referred more to adolescents (n = 538) than subjects of any other paediatric age group. Paracetamol and opioid analgesics were the most common suspect drugs in deaths across all age groups due to hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy, brain death, and cardio-respiratory arrest.Conclusion: The number of reports associated with drug abuse and overdose is increasing (for opioid and paracetamol-containing products) and a considerable number of adverse drug reactions are serious. Data on the patterns of use of such medicines from each country may help in implementing strategies of risk-minimisation and renewing healthcare recommendations worldwide. An increased clinical awareness of drug abuse and overdose is warranted, while continuing to provide effective treatments. What is Known: • The large increase in paediatric prescriptions for CNS-active drugs in the last 20 years has recently raised public health concerns about drug abuse and overdose. • No study to date has examined this issue in paediatric patients worldwide. What is New: • The number of paediatric reports associated with CNS drug abuse and intentional overdose is increasing, including those with fatal outcome; over 4 years; more than 35% of the reports was entered from European countries. • Opioid and paracetamol were most frequently suspected for ADRs with fatal outcome across all age groups, due to hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and cardio-respiratory arrest, suggesting the need to implement strategies of risk-minimisation.

Polirradiculoneuropatia periférica desmielinizante associada ao uso de carbamazepina em cão: relato de caso

RESUMO Diversos fármacos são utilizados no tratamento da epilepsia e, assim como outros medicamentos, podem induzir a ocorrência de efeitos adversos, alguns tão graves que geram a necessidade de descontinuidade e substituição da terapia. A carbamazepina pode levar a alterações nos sistemas cardiovascular, respiratório e neurológico, sendo descritos na literatura casos de indução de miastenia gravis como distúrbio neuromuscular. Este estudo relata o caso de um cão que desenvolveu polirradiculoneuropatia desmielinizante, tendo como provável desencadeante a terapia com carbamazepina. O paciente apresentou tetraplegia, ausência de reflexos espinhais nos quatro membros, fraqueza cervical, diminuição do reflexo palpebral bilateral e esforço respiratório. A eletroneuromiografia demonstrou sinais de desmielinização. Este, portanto, é o primeiro relato de associação entre carbamazepina e polirradiculoneuropatia desmielinizante em cão.

Severe Carbamazepine Intoxication in Children: Analysis of a 40-Case Series

BACKGROUND We compared the factors that might impact the severity and the prognosis of carbamazepine (CBZ) intoxication in children, as well as the efficacy levels of the treatment options. MATERIAL AND METHODS Demographic information and clinical and laboratory findings for 40 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Predictive parameters for the development of serious complications were studied. RESULTS Median age of patients was 14 years; 65% of the patients were female. The most common pathological clinical finding and laboratory abnormality were inability to awaken the patient and hyperglycemia (45% and 60%, respectively). The incidences of convulsion, coma, and respiratory failure were 14 (35%), 10 (25%), and 3 (7.5%), respectively. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and pH levels at emergency service admission were significantly lower in the severe intoxication group and the ICU admission group, and body temperature and serum glucose and lactate levels were significantly higher in these groups. A significantly negative correlation was found between the serum CBZ level and the GCS score, but the serum CBZ level was found to be significantly positively correlated with the lactate level. CONCLUSIONS According to our study, the GCS score at admission to hospital, the serum CBZ, glucose, pH, and lactate levels, and body temperature might be useful in predicting serious CBZ intoxication and prognosis in pediatric cases. We conclude that invasive treatment methods, such as hemodialysis or albumin-enhanced continuous venovenous hemodialysis, should be used in patients who do not respond to supportive treatment.

Acute Ataxia in Children: A Review of the Differential Diagnosis and Evaluation in the Emergency Department

Acute ataxia in a pediatric patient poses a diagnostic dilemma for any physician. While the most common etiologies are benign, occasional individuals require urgent intervention. Children with stroke, toxic ingestion, infection, and neuro-inflammatory disorders frequently exhibit ataxia as an essential-if not the only-presenting feature. The available retrospective research utilize inconsistent definitions of acute ataxia, precluding the ability to pool data from these studies. No prospective data exist that report on patients presenting to the emergency department with ataxia. This review examines the reported causes of ataxia and attempts to group them into distinct categories: post-infectious and inflammatory central and peripheral phenomena, toxic ingestion, neurovascular, infectious and miscellaneous. From there, we synthesize the existing literature to understand which aspects of the history, physical exam, and ancillary testing might aid in narrowing the differential diagnosis. MRI is superior to CT in detecting inflammatory or vascular insults in the posterior fossa, though CT may be necessary in emergent situations. Lumbar puncture may be deferred until after admission in most instances, with suspicion for meningitis being the major exception. There is insufficient evidence to guide laboratory evaluation of serum, testing should be ordered based on clinical judgement-recommended studies include metabolic profiles and screening labs for metabolic disorders (lactate and ammonia). All patients should be reflexively screened for toxic ingestions.

Neurological Manifestations of Medical Child Abuse

BACKGROUND

Medical child abuse occurs when a child receives unnecessary and harmful, or potentially harmful, medical care at the instigation of a caretaker through exaggeration, falsification, or induction of symptoms of illness in a child. Neurological manifestations are common with this type of maltreatment.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to review common reported neurological manifestations that may alert the clinician to consider medical child abuse. In addition, the possible sequelae of this form of child maltreatment is discussed, as well as practice recommendations for establishing the diagnosis and stopping the abuse once it is identified.

METHODS

A review of the medical literature was conducted regarding the reported neurological presentations of this entity.

RESULTS

Neurological manifestations of medical child abuse include false reports of apparent life-threatening events and seizures and reports of induction of symptoms from poisoning. Failure to correlate objective findings with subjective complaints may lead to unnecessary and potentially harmful testing or treatment. This form of child maltreatment puts a child at significant risk of long-term morbidity and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

A wide variety of neurological manifestations have been reported in cases of medical child abuse. It is important for the practicing neurologist to include medical child abuse on the differential diagnosis.

Carbamazepine

This chapter includes the aspects of carbamazepine. The drug is synthesized by the use of 5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine and phosgene followed by subsequent reaction with ammonia. Carbamazepine is generally used for the treatment of seizure disorders and neuropathic pain, it is also important as off-label for a second-line treatment for bipolar disorder and in combination with an antipsychotic in some cases of schizophrenia when treatment with a conventional antipsychotic alone has failed. Other uses may include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, phantom limb syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, borderline personality disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The chapter discusses the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics and presents various methods of analysis of this drug such electrochemical analysis, spectroscopic analysis, and chromatographic techniques of separation. It also discusses its physical properties such as solubility characteristics, X-ray powder diffraction pattern, and thermal methods of analysis. The chapter is concluded with a discussion on its biological properties such as activity, toxicity, and safety.

Hypoglycemia - a rare complication of carbamazepine overdose

Carbamazepine overdose usually presents with neurological manifestations such as ataxia, seizures and altered sensorium or cardiac manifestations that include tachycardia, hypotension and ventricular extra-systoles. We report a patient with carbamazepine overdose who manifested recurrent hypoglycemia on the third and fourth day following ingestion that resolved with supportive therapy.

[Charcoal, cocaine and rattlesnakes: evidence-based treatment of poisoning]

BACKGROUND

Since ancient times poisoning has been treated medicinally. Clinical toxicology, in the narrow sense of the term, developed from the foundation of specialized medical treatment units for poisoning and the formation of the first poison information centers in the second half of the twentieth century. Historically, the first poison information centers were often localized at pediatric clinics or departments of internal medicine. It became increasingly more obvious that this pooling of competences made sense.

AIM

This article gives a general introduction in clinical toxicology and presents the functions and key activities of emergency poison centers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The organisation and work of a poisons centre is demonstrated on the basis of the Poisons Information Center (GIZ) North annual report for 2011. In a short summary the basic principles of clinical toxicology are elucidated: the primary removal of poisons by gastric lavage and administration of activated charcoal, secondary removal of poisons by enhanced elimination using hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, multi-dose activated charcoal and molecular adsorbent recirculating systems (MARS) and the indications for administration of specific antidotes or antivenins (antisera against poisoning by poisonous animals).

RESULTS

Gastric lavage is indicated within 1 h after ingestion of a potentially life-threatening dose of a poison. In cases of poisoning with substances which penetrate the central nervous system (CNS) gastric lavage should be performed only after endotracheal intubation due to the risk of aspiration. The basic management of poisoned patients by emergency medicine personnel out of hospital and on the way to hospital is presented. The Bremen list, a compilation of the five antidotes, atropine, 4-dimethylaminophenol (4-DMAP), tolonium chloride, naloxone and activated charcoal for out of hospital treatment by emergency doctors is presented.

CONCLUSION

In all, even questionable cases of poisoning consultation at emergency poison centers is recommended. An extensive list of all German speaking poison information centers is available on the homepage of GIZ-Nord (http://www.giz-nord.de).

Of pills, plants, and paraquat: the relevance of poison centers in emergency medicine

The organization and work of a poisons center are demonstrated on the basis of GIZ-Nord Poisons Center Annual Report for 2011. In a short summary the basic principles of clinical toxicology are elucidated: the indications for gastric lavage and the application of activated charcoal. Moreover the means of enhanced elimination are presented: hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, multi-dose activated charcoal and molecular absorbent recirculating system (MARS). Gastric lavage is indicated within one hour after ingestion of a life-threatening dose of a poison. In intoxications with CNS penetrating substances gastric lavage should be performed only after endotracheal intubation due to the risk of aspiration. The basic management of the intoxicated patient by emergency medicine personnel out of hospital and on the way into the hospital is presented. The "Bremen List", a compilation of five antidotes (atropine, 4-DMAP, tolonium chloride, naloxone, activated charcoal) for the out of hospital treatment by emergency doctors is introduced.

Carbamazepine toxicity after influenza vaccination

Accidental ingestion and drug interaction are known causes of carbamazepine toxicity. Less well recognized is the possibility that influenza vaccination may significantly increase carbamazepine blood levels. Our experience suggests that carbamazepine toxicity can result from influenza vaccination.

Nystagmus

This article reviews the recent literature on nystagmus and various aspects of the pathophysiology of congenital idiopathic nystagmus and nystagmus treatment. One paper shows a new classification of latent/manifest latent nystagmus based on eye movement recordings. Nystagmus associated with complex syndromes and with onset in childhood represents the subject of several important recent articles, as does acquired nystagmus. Nystagmus as a manifestation of the toxicity of pharmacological agents is becoming increasingly recognized. Important contributions have been made to the genetics of various forms of nystagmus that represent an essential feature of retinal diseases, such as congenital stationary night blindness, albinism, blue cone monochromatism, and achromatopsia.