Citation

Geib AJ, Babu K, Ewald MB, Boyer EW. Pediatrics 2006; 118(4): 1746-1751.

Affiliation

Program in Medical Toxicology, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. (ajgeib@hotmail.com)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, American Academy of Pediatrics)

DOI

10.1542/peds.2006-0948

PMID

17015570

Abstract

Buprenorphine in sublingual formulation was recently introduced to the American market for treatment of opioid dependence. We report a series of 5 toddlers with respiratory and mental-status depression after unintentional buprenorphine exposure. Despite buprenorphine's partial agonist activity and ceiling effect on respiratory depression, all children required hospital admission and either opioid-antagonist therapy or mechanical ventilation. Results of routine urine toxicology screening for opioids were negative in all cases. Confirmatory testing was sent for 1 child and returned with a positive result. The increasing use of buprenorphine as a home-based therapy for opioid addiction in the United States raises public health concerns for the pediatric population.

Language: en