Severe outcomes following pediatric cannabis intoxication: a prospective cohort study of an international toxicology surveillance registry.

INTRODUCTION: An increasing number of jurisdictions have legalized recreational cannabis for adult use. The subsequent availability and marketing of recreational cannabis has led to a parallel increase in rates and severity of pediatric cannabis intoxications. We explored predictors of severe outcomes in pediatric patients who presented to the emergency department with cannabis intoxication. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we collected data on all pediatric patients (<18 years) who presented with cannabis intoxication from August 2017 through June 2020 to participating sites in the Toxicology Investigators Consortium. In cases that involved polysubstance exposure, patients were included if cannabis was a significant contributing agent. The primary outcome was a composite severe outcome endpoint, defined as an intensive care unit admission or in-hospital death. Covariates included relevant sociodemographic and exposure characteristics. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-eight pediatric patients (54% males, median age 14.0 years, interquartile range 3.7-16.0) presented to a participating emergency department with cannabis intoxication. Fifty-two patients (38%) were admitted to an intensive care unit, including one patient who died. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, polysubstance ingestion (adjusted odds ratio = 16.3; 95% confidence interval: 4.6-58.3; P < 0.001)) and cannabis edibles ingestion (adjusted odds ratio = 5.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.9-15.9; P = 0.001) were strong independent predictors of severe outcome. In an age-stratified regression analysis, in children older than >10 years, only polysubstance abuse remained an independent predictor for the severe outcome (adjusted odds ratio 37.1; 95% confidence interval: 6.2-221.2; P < 0.001). As all children 10 years and younger ingested edibles, a dedicated multivariable analysis could not be performed (unadjusted odds ratio 3.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.6-6.7). CONCLUSIONS: Severe outcomes occurred for different reasons and were largely associated with the patient's age. Young children, all of whom were exposed to edibles, were at higher risk of severe outcomes. Teenagers with severe outcomes were frequently involved in polysubstance exposure, while psychosocial factors may have played a role.

Assessing the Role of Initial Serum Calcium Concentration in Patients with Ethylene Glycol Poisoning.

INTRODUCTION: Assays for ethylene glycol (EG) with a rapid turn-around time are not routinely available. Clinicians must rely on historical features and readily available clinical tests, combined with clinical acumen, to guide the initial management of suspected EG poisoning. Hypocalcemia has been suggested as a clue supporting the diagnosis of EG poisoning in patients presenting with an unexplained high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA). A previous small study challenged this assumption. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of one state's poison control system of confirmed EG-poisoned patients between September 2017 and April 2021. The definition of EG poisoning was based on suspected EG ingestion and a serum EG concentration > 5 mg/dL. Patients who were suspected to have EG toxicity but did not have a confirmed EG concentration or the EG concentration was less than 5 mg/dL were excluded. Routine laboratory studies were recorded for all patients. Comparisons between serum calcium on presentation to presenting blood pH, bicarbonate, anion gap, and creatinine were assessed for correlation. RESULTS: There was no correlation between the presenting calcium and either pH or creatinine. There was a weak positive correlation between the initial serum calcium and anion gap, a weak negative correlation between the initial serum calcium and bicarbonate. CONCLUSION: On hospital presentation, hypocalcemia was not associated with EG poisoning, even in patients with a HAGMA. A normal serum calcium on presentation does not exclude the diagnosis of EG poisoning.

Predictors of severe outcome following opioid intoxication in children.

INTRODUCTION: While the opioid crisis has claimed the lives of nearly 500,000 in the U.S. over the past two decades, and pediatric cases of opioid intoxications are increasing, only sparse data exist regarding risk factors for severe outcome in children following an opioid intoxication. We explore predictors of severe outcome (i.e., intensive care unit [ICU] admission or in-hospital death) in children who presented to the Emergency Department with an opioid intoxication. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study we collected data on all children (0-18 years) who presented with an opioid intoxication to the 50 medical centers in the US and two international centers affiliated with the Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC) of the American College of Medical Toxicology, from August 2017 through June 2020, and who received a bedside consultation by a medical toxicologist. We collected relevant demographic, clinical, management, disposition, and outcome data, and we conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to explore predictors of severe outcome. The primary outcome was a composite severe outcome endpoint, defined as ICU admission or in-hospital death. Covariates included sociodemographic, exposure and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 165 (87 females, 52.7%) children with an opioid intoxication, 89 (53.9%) were admitted to ICU or died during hospitalization, and 76 did not meet these criteria. Seventy-four (44.8%) children were exposed to opioids prescribed to family members. Fentanyl exposure (adjusted OR [aOR] = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.0-11.6; p = 0.03) and age ≥10 years (aOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2-4.8; p = 0.01) were independent predictors of severe outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Children with an opioid toxicity that have been exposed to fentanyl and those aged ≥10 years had 3.6 and 2.5 higher odds of ICU admission or death, respectively, than those without these characteristics. Prevention efforts should target these risk factors to mitigate poor outcomes in children with an opioid intoxication.

Fentanyl- and fentanyl analog-related deaths across five counties in Central New York between 2013 and 2017.

Introduction: Deaths due to drug overdose in the US in 2017 amounted to approximately 72,000, an increase of 12% from the previous year. There was a near tenfold increase in deaths involving synthetic opioids from 3,105 in 2013 to approximately 30,000 in 2017. Recent data from the United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified fentanyl as most frequently involved in overdose deaths in the US as of 2016. This is consistent with statistics in New York State, where opioid-related overdose deaths increased by nearly 35% between 2015 and 2016, with fentanyl-related deaths increasing by 160%. The objective of this study is to report the incidence of deaths involving fentanyl and fentanyl analogs across five counties in Central New York between January 1, 2013 and December 17, 2017.Methods: All unintentional drug-related deaths across five counties in Central New York between January 1, 2013 and December 17, 2017 reported by the Medical Examiner's (ME) Office were included. Ante-mortem and post-mortem specimens were obtained for analysis.Results: A total of 417 deaths involving fentanyl and/or fentanyl analogs were reported, increasing from 10 cases in 2013 to 184 cases in 2017. Despropionyl fentanyl and furanylfentanyl were the analogs identified most frequently.Discussion: The study's data demonstrates an increase in the number of deaths related to fentanyl and/or fentanyl analogs. The number of deaths associated with fentanyl or an analog rose year to year, with despropionyl fentanyl and furanylfentanyl most commonly identified. The increase in fentanyl- and/or fentanyl analog-related deaths is consistent with national and international data.Conclusions: This study highlights the current crisis occurring in Central New York and serves to emphasize the ongoing global health threat posed by these chemical derivatives.

Monoamine oxidase A inhibition by toxic concentrations of metaxalone.

Context: Serotonin toxicity is a reported complication associated with both therapeutic use and overdose of metaxalone while on therapeutic doses of serotonergic drugs such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibition by metaxalone has been proposed as the etiology of this toxicity. Metaxalone concentrations reported with cases of serotonin toxicity range from 31 to 61 mcg/ml (140-276 µM). We investigated the effect of metaxalone on MAO-A activity using an in vitro model.Methods: Metaxalone at concentrations ranging from 1.56 to 400 µM were incubated with a proprietary MAO substrate and recombinant human MAO-A for 1 h. After that, an esterase and luciferase were added and luminescence measured. Clorgyline, a known MAO-A inhibitor, was used as a positive control. Luminescence was measured using a Biotek Synergy HT microplate reader.Results: Metaxalone demonstrated significant dose-related inhibition of MAO-A activity. Four-parameter logistic regression analysis demonstrated a strong dose-response relationship at increasing concentrations.Conclusions: Our in vitro model shows that at toxic concentrations similar to those reported in case reports metaxalone shows significant MAO-A inhibition. Clinicians should be aware of this mechanism and understand the potentially lethal interactions metaxalone can have when prescribed with other serotonergic drugs and consider this as a potential cause of serotonin toxicity, especially in overdose scenarios.

Can elevated lactate and LDH produce a false positive enzymatic ethanol result in live patients presenting to the emergency department?

BACKGROUND: There have been allegations in the courtroom that elevated serum lactic acid in trauma victims can yield a falsely elevated serum ethanol assay. Most hospitals utilize an indirect method of ethanol measurement where a serum sample is added to a mix of alcohol dehydrogenase and oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). This allows any ethanol in the patient's serum to be metabolized to acetaldehyde, and in the process results in the reduction of NAD + to NADH. NADH is then measured using spectrophotometry. The courtroom allegation stems from the concept that oxidation of lactate to pyruvate by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) results in the same molar-for-molar reduction of NAD + to NADH, and could therefore theoretically cause patients with elevated lactate and LDH to have a falsely elevated ethanol concentration. METHODS: Patients with elevated lactic acid and LDH concentrations who presented to a university hospital from 20 April 2015 to 13 December 2015 were identified to provide possible test specimens. If a sufficient amount of serum was available, the sample was used to re-run the lactate and LDH concentration simultaneously with an enzymatic ethanol assay. Any samples that had elevated lactic acid and LDH concentrations on this retesting, and also yielded a positive ethanol concentration, were sent for confirmatory gas chromatography testing of ethanol concentrations. A control group of 20 samples with normal lactate and LDH were included. RESULTS: A total of 37 samples were included in the final analysis. Only 4 patients had an elevated enzymatic ethanol concentration, and all 4 also had a measurable GC ethanol concentration. The lactate in this dataset ranged from 2.4 to 24.2 mmol/L, with a mean of 6.53 mmol/L (normal value 0.5-2.2). The LDH ranged from 242 to 8838 U/L with a mean of 1695 U/L (normal value 122-225 U/L). Twenty control samples were run on patients with normal lactate and LDH, none of which yielded a positive enzymatic ethanol result. CONCLUSIONS: This data does not support the contention that an elevated LDH and lactate can yield a false positive serum ethanol result as run by enzymatic ethanol assay in live patients presenting to the emergency department.

Serum Calcium Concentration in Ethylene Glycol Poisoning.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of ethylene glycol intoxication can be challenging. Definitive testing for ethylene glycol is not readily available and clinical decisions are often based on clinical suspicion and the results of more readily available tests. One of these findings is hypocalcemia, presumable through complexation with the ethylene glycol metabolite oxalate. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital between 2005 and 2013 with laboratory confirmed ethylene glycol intoxication. Serum calcium on presentation was compared to blood gas pH on presentation as well as presentation serum bicarbonate. RESULTS: We did not find any relationship between calcium and serum pH either by linear regression or when dichotomized by pH ≥ or <7.3. We did observe an inverse relationship between serum calcium and bicarbonate. CONCLUSIONS: Hypocalcemia is not commonly observed following ethylene glycol poisoning, even in acidotic patients.

The Influence of Polyethylene Glycol Solution on the Dissolution Rate of Sustained Release Morphine.

INTRODUCTION: Whole bowel irrigation (WBI) is a management option for overdose of medications poorly adsorbed to activated charcoal, with modified release properties, or for body packers. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a mixture of ethylene oxide polymers of varying molecular weight. PEG with an average molecular weight of 3350 g/mol is used for WBI. PEG electrolyte lavage solution has been shown in vitro to hasten the dissolution of acetaminophen. The impact of PEG on the pharmacokinetics of extended release pharmaceuticals is unknown. Lower average molecular weight PEG mixtures are used as solvents and excipients. We sought to investigate the impact of PEG on the release of morphine from several extended release morphine formulations. METHODS: An in vitro gastric model was developed. To test the validity of our model, we first investigated the previously described interaction of ethanol and Avinza®. Once demonstrated, we then investigated the effect of PEG with several extended release morphine formulations. RESULTS: In the validation portion of our study, we confirmed an ethanol Avinza® interaction. Subsequently, we did not observe accelerated release of morphine from Avinza® or generic extended release morphine in the presence of PEG. CONCLUSION: The use of PEG for gastric decontamination following ingestion of these extended release morphine formulations is unlikely to accelerate morphine release and aggravate intoxication.

Serotonin syndrome following metaxalone overdose and therapeutic use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

UNLABELLED: Metaxalone has only recently been associated with serotonin syndrome. The mechanism of action of this centrally acting muscle relaxant is unknown; however, the observation of serotonin syndrome in patients with metaxalone overdose suggests a role in the serotonergic pathway. CASE REPORT: (Case 1) A 29-year-old woman with overdose of metaxalone presented to the emergency department with altered mental status, seizure-like activity, hyperthermia, rigidity in the lower extremities, myoclonus, and hyperreflexia. Vital signs on arrival include blood pressure of 168/80 mmHg, heart rate of 208 beats per minute (bpm), respirations of 20/min, a temperature of 41.6° C rectally, and room air oxygen saturation of 97%. She was intubated and sedated with benzodiazepines, and actively cooled. Serum paroxetine concentration was 23 (therapeutic range: 20-200) ng/mL, and serum metaxalone concentration was 31 mcg/mL (peak plasma concentrations average 0.9 mcg/mL at 3.3 h following a single oral dose of 400 mg). (Case 2) A 27-year-old man presented to the emergency department with altered mental status, rigidity in his lower extremities, myoclonus, and hyperreflexia. Vital signs on arrival include blood pressure of 158/131 mmHg, heart rate of 126 bpm, respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute, and temperature of 37.2°C, with oxygen saturation of 98% on room air. His medication list included metaxalone and escitalopram. He was managed aggressively with IV boluses of diazepam, in total 80 mg, in the emergency department. Serum escitalopram concentration was 24 ng/mL with a therapeutic range of 21-64 ng/mL, and serum metaxalone concentration was 58 mcg/mL. CONCLUSION: These two cases suggest that at supratherapeutic concentrations metaxalone has serotonergic effects. Severe serotonin toxicity may result from metaxalone abuse in individuals using a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapeutically.

A review of acetaminophen poisoning.

Acetaminophen poisoning remains one of the more common drugs taken in overdose with potentially fatal consequences. Early recognition and prompt treatment with N-acetylcysteine can prevent hepatic injury. With acute overdose, the Rumack-Matthew nomogram is a useful tool to assess risk and guide management. Equally common to acute overdose is the repeated use of excessive amounts of acetaminophen. Simultaneous ingestion of several different acetaminophen-containing products may result in excessive dosage. These patients also benefit from N-acetylcysteine. Standard courses of N-acetylcysteine may need to be extended in patients with persistently elevated plasma concentrations of acetaminophen or with signs of hepatic injury.

Baclofen overdose mimicking brain death.

CONTEXT: Brain death guidelines should be used with caution in patients with drug intoxication. It is often suggested that physicians use five half-lives of a drug when observing a patient with an overdose. We report two cases of baclofen intoxication where brain death was entertained as an explanation for prolonged coma, with arousal seen days later, suggesting that routine use of a 5-half-life observation period is insufficient with baclofen intoxication. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old woman was found unresponsive by her family. Baclofen was found to be the responsible overdose. The patient had absent brain stem reflexes and was intubated and in the ICU for several days. Although EEG and Apnea test were inconclusive, the patient was thought to be brain dead and organ procurement was arranged. On hospital day 5, the patient started having purposeful movements. The patient had progressive arousal and was eventually transferred without neurologic sequelae to psychiatry. The second patient also had a massive baclofen overdose, had absence of almost all brain stem reflexes and was also intubated and in the ICU. Brain death was felt to be imminent, but the patient began to awake on hospital day 7. DISCUSSION: Our two cases suggest that baclofen intoxication may result in very prolonged and profound coma and may, in fact, mimic brain death. Conclusion. The determination of brain death in the comatose overdose patient must proceed with caution. An adequate period of time to allow drug clearance must be allowed.

Seizure and coma following Kratom (Mitragynina speciosa Korth) exposure.

Reports of toxicity secondary to Kratom are rare and lack of diagnostic testing in human specimens has prevented confirmatory explanation of observed clinical effects. We present a novel case of serious human toxicity following Kratom use confirmed via quantitative analysis of urine by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. A 64 year-old male was witnessed to have a seizure at home following kratom consumption. Upon arrival to the emergency department (ED), the patient was unresponsive. While in the ED, the patient sustained a second seizure. He was intubated to protect his airway. The remainder of his hospital course was uneventful. A urine specimen was collected shortly after admission and sent for analysis. The mitragynine concentration in the urine was 167 ± 15 ng/ml. We report a rare case of Kratom toxicity characterized by a seizure and coma confirmed by urinary analysis of mitragynine by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The proposed mechanism for this reaction is unclear but suggested mechanisms include adenosine binding or stimulation of adrenergic and/or serotonergic receptors similar to tramadol.

Diethylene glycol: widely used solvent presents serious poisoning potential.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the serious toxicity of a readily available solvent, diethylene glycol (DEG). We describe a case of intentional ingestion of a wallpaper stripper containing DEG resulting in severe multi-system organ failure. CASE REPORT: A 27-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department (ED) one day after ingesting wallpaper stripper containing DEG. He developed acidosis, renal cortical necrosis, hepatocellular injury, and severe neurologic sequelae, including cranial neuropathies and peripheral demyelinating sensori-motor polyneuropathy. His neurologic function improved over 5 months. DISCUSSION: Our case demonstrates the severe toxicity of DEG. DEG is present in numerous formulations, often without proper protective packaging. DEG has been associated with severe epidemic poisonings in the past and with the availability of safer alternatives, DEG in consumer products should be eliminated. CONCLUSION: DEG is found in numerous products. Delays in treatment can have devastating results, resulting in death or permanent disability. The pervasive use of this compound makes further human exposures likely.

Profound metabolic acidosis and oxoprolinuria in an adult.

INTRODUCTION: Profound metabolic acidosis in critically ill adults sometimes remains unexplained despite extensive evaluation. CASE REPORT: A 58-year-old female presented in a confused state to the emergency department; she had been confused for several days. Laboratory evaluation revealed a high anion gap metabolic acidosis and modestly elevated acetaminophen level. Lactic acid was only modestly elevated. There was no evidence of ketoacids, salicylate, methanol, or ethylene glycol. A urine sample submitted on day 1 of hospitalization revealed a markedly elevated level of 5-oxoproline. DISCUSSION: Originally described in children with an inherited defect of glutathione synthetase, 5-oxoproline is an unusual cause of metabolic acidosis. More recently this disturbance has been recognized in critically ill adults without a recognized inherited metabolic disorder. In most of these cases there has been the concomitant use of acetaminophen. Any causal relationship between acetaminophen and this disturbance is speculative. CONCLUSION: In critically ill adults with unexplained metabolic acidosis, 5-Oxoproline should be considered in the differential.