[Life-threatening theophylline intoxication: a variant of Munchhausen syndrome by proxy].

Abstract

We report of a prematurely born infant, who was admitted to hospital at the age of 6 months due to seizures. The seizures continued despite of an improved electroencephalogram due to varying medications. The boy had episodes of hypokaliaemia, diarrhea, and tachycardia which were treated in critical care unit. Not before 3 months of continued treatment and diagnostic work up in three different hospitals had passed the underlying poisoning with theophylline by the mother was proved. The toxicity of theophylline is well known. Adverse reactions occur frequently during theophylline therapy. There are numerous reports of suicidal intoxications with theophylline. Non-accidental poisoning with theophylline has not yet been reported in the context of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

• Authors: D Föll, O Debus, G M Schmitt, E Harms, K-P Zimmer
• Journal: Klinische Padiatrie (Klin Padiatr) 2003 Mar-Apr Vol. 215 Issue 2 Pg. 86-9 ISSN: 0300-8630 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Lebensbedrohliche Theophyllin-Intoxikation im Rahmen eines Münchhausen-by-proxy-Syndroms.
• PMID: 12677549 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Theophylline

Topics

• Diagnosis, Differential
• Electroencephalography (drug effects)
• Humans
• Hypokalemia (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature, Diseases (diagnosis)
• Male
• Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (diagnosis, psychology)
• Poisoning (diagnosis)
• Spasms, Infantile (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Tachycardia (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Theophylline (poisoning)