Citation

Kayali S, Belder N. Turk. Klin. Pediatri. 2020; 29(1): 8-13.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Ortadoğu Reklam Tanıtım ve Yayıncılık)

DOI

10.5336/pediatr.2019-71601

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Overdose drug intake is a common method of suicide attempt among children and adolescents which can cause cardiac complications. However, the current body of knowledge about cardiotoxicity largely consists of limited adult studies and case reports. We investigated the prevalence of cardiac involvement through cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiographic findings of suicidal attempt at pediatric age. Material and Methods: A retrospective review of 158 suicide attempts by drug overdose under age of 18 who were admitted to pediatric emergency department was made. Demographic features, applied medical procedures, patients' routine laboratory findings, electrocardiographic findings and serum levels of high sensitive troponin I, CK-MB and myoblobin were rewieved.

RESULTS: Of these 158 cases, 82.3% (130) were girls and the average age was 15.5±1.4 (7-17) years. Seventy nine cases (50%) were multidrug intake. The mean duration of admission to the emergency room was 3.9 hours after drug intake. None of the cases had obvious electrocardiographic changes in terms of myocardial injury. However, mild QRS widening and QT prolongation were detected in three patients. Elevated myoglobin level was detected in 36 cases whereas two cases had elevated CK-MB levels. Increased level of high sensitive troponin I level was in only one case who took overdose asetil salisylic acide and mianserine.

CONCLUSION: Cardiac complications may occur in suicidal attempt by drug overdose in children. High clinical suspicion with evaluation through electrocardiography and cardiac biomarkers is needed to detect this vital condition. © 2020 OrtadogÃ'Ÿu Reklam Tanitim Yayincilik Turizm Egitim Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; human; pediatrics; Suicide; female; male; suicide attempt; drug overdose; major clinical study; vomiting; retrospective study; vertigo; stomach lavage; diazepam; paracetamol; activated carbon; cardiotoxicity; confusion; seizure; nausea; acute kidney failure; QT prolongation; aspartate aminotransferase; acetylcysteine; protein blood level; electrocardiography; Drug overdose; infusion fluid; dyspepsia; heart muscle injury; lethargy; Cardiotoxicity; Article; speech disorder; aspartate aminotransferase blood level; energy metabolism; creatine kinase MB; myoglobin; troponin I; walking difficulty; QRS interval; Pediatric age; systolic hypertension