[Clonidine poisoning in a child: a case report]. / Intoxication pédiatrique sévère avec une faible dose de clonidine : à propos d'un cas.

Clonidine poisoning's clinical feature is well documented in the medical literature, but the minimal toxic dose has not yet been established. The effectiveness of naloxone is also controversial. The authors describe a clonidine overdose in a 9-year-old boy (25 kg) during a growth hormone test: he received tenfold the prescribed clonidine dose (0.23 mg instead of 0.023 mg) with 6.2 mg betaxolol. About 40 min later, he became drowsy and then complained of low blood pressure, bradycardia, and myosis. By maintaining the Trendelenburg position, administering fluids as well as salbutamol and naloxone (three doses of 0.2 mg were required), he recovered and was discharged from the hospital on day 2. The minimal clonidine toxic dose, the clinical picture, and the effectiveness of naloxone administration are discussed in this paper.

[Methaemoglobinaemia in a child treated with Emla(®) cream: circumstances and consequences of overdose]. / Méthémoglobinémie après application de crème Emla(®) chez un enfant : circonstances et conséquences d'un surdosage.

BACKGROUND: Emla(®) cream, a mixture of two local anaesthetics (prilocaine 2.5%, lidocaine 2.5%) has a good benefit-risk profile. However, methaemoglobinaemia can occur, especially when the cream is applied in excessive amounts or over long periods. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors report a case of seizure and respiratory disturbances (MetHb=20.1%) after excessive application of Emla(®) (30g) for curettage of molluscum contagiosum in a young girl with eczema. The patient's clinical condition improved after withdrawal of the cream and administration of methylene blue, and she returned home on day two. DISCUSSION: This new case of methaemoglobinaemia in a child following application of Emla(®) cream highlights the importance of strict compliance with the instructions for use of this medicinal product.

[Occurrence of severe cardiac alterations in Amanita proxima poisoning: two original observations]. / Survenue d'une atteinte cardiaque sévère au cours du syndrome proximien : deux observations originales.

Amanita proxima is one species of white mushroom which can induce poisonings called in France "proximien" syndrome. The clinical feature of "proximien" syndrome is mainly characterized by early digestive troubles, mild hepatic cytolysis and late renal impairment. A cardiac insult has never been reported in such a circumstance. The authors describe herein two cases of white mushroom poisoning occurred in the Mediterranean French coast with a typical clinical feature of "proximien" syndrome plus secondary development of severe cardiac alterations. The outcome was good for the two patients thanks to symptomatic treatment. The cases reported here suggest that A. proxima have a potential severe cardiac toxicity leading to include early and precise cardiac examination in the management of patients poisoned by these mushrooms.

[Hemolytic anemia after voluntary ingestion of henna (Lawsonia inermis) decoction by a young girl with G6PD deficiency]. / Ingestion volontaire de decoction de henné (Lawsonia inermis) d'un déficit en G6PD.

Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a shrub bearing leaves that are crushed and used for cosmetic purposes in Asia and Africa. In several countries, henna decoction is ingested as a traditional drug to induce abortion. One component of Henna, known as Lawsone, can induce hemolysis in G6PD-deficient patients after cutaneous exposure or ingestion. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of severe hemolytic anemia after voluntary ingestion of Henna decoction to induce abortion. This complication led to diagnosis of partial moderate G6PD-deficiency in the 17-year-old patient living in Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. This report emphasizes the life-threatening hazards associated with some plant extracts used as traditional medicines.

[Accidental ingestion of paracetamol in the for of the pediatric syrup EFFERALGAN: case studies during the six months following the institution of the child-proof top]. / Ingestions accidentelles de paracétamol sous la forme de sirop EFFERALGAN pédiatrique: étude des observations au cours des six mois qui ont suivi la mise en place d'un bouchon de sécurité.

During the 6 months following the child-proof top commercialisation for the paediatric syrup EFFERALGAN in France, 51 cases of accidental ingestion were collected by the Marseilles Poison Centre. For 21 pour cent of them, the alleged dose taken was greater than the toxic dose. For 2 cases only, the responsible bottle had a child-proof top and was open on the table. For all other cases, it was simple-opening bottles (old bottles still present in houses, or bottles without a special top but sold in order to get rid of stocks). This study proves that such a preventive measure (modification of the top of the syrup bottles) is only fully effective if additional measures are undertaken such as return of unsold stocks or the provision of information to pharmacists and physicians.

[Accidental ingestions of paracetamol in the form of EFFERALGAN pediatric syrup: experience of the Marseille Anti-poison Center during 1998]. / Ingestions accidentelles de paracétamol sous la forme de sirop EFFERALGAN pédiatrique: expérience du Centre Antipoison de Marseille au cours de l'année 1998.

In 1998, 77 cases of accidental ingestion of paracetamol paediatric syrup (Efferalgan) in children were notified to the Marseille Poison Centre. In a quarter of them, the alleged dose taken was greater than the toxic dose. Ingestion was mainly due to the child opening the bottle. The proximate marketing of a product with a child-proof top, which should allow the number of accidents to be reduced. Doctors and pharmacists should be informed rapidly, so that they can warn the families who still have the old type of bottle.