Acetaminophen overdose in children and adolescents.

Abstract

From 1982 to 1997, 12 Chinese children were admitted to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital with acetaminophen overdose. Six subjects (one young child, and five adolescents) developed liver damage which was severe in three cases (AST > 1000 IU/L). Acetaminophen-induced liver function abnormalities were characterized by elevation of transaminase levels with ALT higher than AST(6/6), coagulopathy(5/6), thrombocytopenia (1/6), but absence of jaundice(6/6). Fortunately, none of the six patients with liver damage developed fulminant liver failure, and all recovered completely. Acetaminophen overdose can cause significant morbidity in children and adolescents. Caretakers should be well instructed to give the drug correctly. So far, acetaminophen is still considered as the drug-of-choice for antipyresis in pediatric practice. However, multicentered collaborative study is necessary to determine whether acetaminophen intoxication causes less hepatic failure in Chinese children than in Western children.

• Authors: S J Lin, H C Chao, J L Huang, T Y Lin, K H Hsieh
• Journal: Zhonghua Minguo xiao er ke yi xue hui za zhi [Journal]. Zhonghua Minguo xiao er ke yi xue hui (Zhonghua Min Guo Xiao Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi) 1997 Nov-Dec Vol. 38 Issue 6 Pg. 448-53 ISSN: 0001-6578 [Print] China (Republic : 1949- )
• PMID: 9473817 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
• Acetaminophen

Topics

• Acetaminophen (poisoning)
• Adolescent
• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic (poisoning)
• Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury
• Child
• Drug Overdose
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Retrospective Studies