Severe Lactic Acidosis in a Patient After Calcium Channel Blocker Toxicity. George M. Pediatr Emer Care Jan 2010;26:68.
Abstract not available
In a letter to the editor responding to the review of calcium channel blocker (CCB) toxicity by Arroyo and Kao, Malcolm George describes a 14-year-old patient who developed lactic acidosis (arterial pH 7.08) after overdosing on 5.4 gm of …
Poison Hemlock-Induced Respiratory Failure in a Toddler. West PL et al. Pediatr Emer Care 2009;25:761-763.
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) — also called ‘devil’s porridge’ and ‘poison parsely — contains coniine, an alkaloid with nicotine-like effects that produce stimulation then paralysis of skeletal muscles. Clinically, poison hemlock toxicity presents as an ascendingparalysis that can progress to …
Coma in a 20-Month-Old Child From an Ingestion of a Toy Containing 1,4-Butanediol, A Precursor of γ-Hydroxybutyrate. Ortmann LA et al. Pediatr Emer Care 2009;25:758-760.
This is a very interesting case report describing a child who became comatose after ingesting plastic Aqua Dot beads. As has been well-publicized, the manufacturer of this toy in China substituted 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) …
Today in Slate, Jack Shafer claims that so-called pharm parties are just media hype, and may not exist at all. The term “pharm party” describes an event in which kids take various prescription medications — often their parents’ — dump them in a bowl, and then ingest random pills and combinations. Shafer writes:
“I’ve yet to read a story …
The Independent (U.K.) reported today that the potentially deadly funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) has had a banner year in the area around Sydney, Australia, where a combination of unusual moisture and cool temperatures have created ideal conditions for the creatures to breed. Funnel-webs have not only long (4-5 mm) and extremely sharp fangs, but also a neurotoxin that …
OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CHRONIC PAIN AND OVERDOSE Dunn KM et al. Ann Intern Med 19 Jan 2010;152:85-92.
Using the computerized database of the Group Health Cooperative in Washington state, the authors studied almost 10,000 patients who received opiate prescriptions for chronic noncancer pain. Their primary outcomes were the occurrence of diagnosed fatal and nonfatal overdoses. They identified 51 opiate-related …
The Washington Post health blog The Checkup interviewed John Rosen, Montefiore hospital’s chief of environmental sciences, and has a good short non-alarmist discussion about the risks, or lack thereof, of the cadmium that was found in some children’s toys produced in China. My only objection would be to the suggestion that a child’s possible exposure be mentioned to the pediatrician. …
An article in yesterday’s Times (U.K.) asks the question: Is meow meow the new ecstasy? Meow meow is one of the street names for mephedrone (4-methymethcathinone). Not much is known about the toxicology of this synthetic drug since it is relatively new, having been in circulation for only two or three years. Although banned in many countries, it is …
Snake bite. Warrell DA Lancet 2 Jan 2010;375:77-88.
Snake bites have a larger impact on health than often realized. A calculated total of 30,000 to 40,000 deaths a year from snake bite is almost certainly an underestimation. Snake venoms are complex mixes of bioactive chemicals that affect primarily the cardiovascular, hematologic, and neurological systems, as well as causing local …
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