Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Apr 2005
Case ReportsPediatric carbamazepine suspension overdose-clinical manifestations and toxicokinetics.
Two toddlers ingested unknown quantities of their older sibling's carbamazepine suspension and rapidly manifested central nervous depression requiring intubation in 1 patient. Coma was the primary clinical finding throughout their care with no anticholinergic syndrome, seizures, or dysrhythmia. Both patients recovered without sequelae within 24 hours. ⋯ The elimination rates (zero-order kinetic) were approximately 1.4 and 0.75 mg/L per hour. We provide the first toxicokinetic data for carbamazepine suspension overdose in children. We confirm that the oral absorption of suspension carbamazepine is rapid necessitating prompt referral to a health care facility for this exposure.
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We report the cases of 2 teenagers with syncope and headaches who were subsequently found, on head computed tomography examinations, to have central nervous system etiologies (arteriovenous malformation and arachnoid cyst) of their syncope. These cases highlight the importance of a focused history and physical examination when evaluating patients who present with syncope.
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Pneumothorax after blunt chest trauma in the absence of rib fractures is uncommon and has only rarely been reported as a result of sporting activity. Presentation may vary from an apparently normal physical examination in the presence of a small pneumothorax to hemodynamic compromise in the presence of a tension pneumothorax. ⋯ It is imperative for the emergency physician to exclude pneumothorax in children who present with chest pain after blunt chest trauma from sports injury. We report our experience with and the management of 3 patients with pneumothoraces.