Pediatric metaxalone ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers, 2000-2007.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of metaxalone ingestions by young children reported to poison control centers.

METHODS

Cases were all metaxalone ingestions by patients aged 0 to 5 years reported to Texas poison control centers during 2000 to 2007. Cases with multiple substance ingestions and lack of follow-up were excluded. Cases were analyzed for selected demographic and clinical factors.

RESULTS

Of 148 total cases, 56.8% were boys. The distributions by management site were 56.1% on-site, 22.3% already at/en route to a health care facility, and 21.6% referred to a health care facility. Final medical outcomes were no effect for 90.5% cases, minor effect for 8.1%, moderate effect for 0.7%, and major effect for 0.7%. Specific clinical effects reported were drowsiness (11), vomiting (3), agitation (2), rash (1%), tachycardia (1), and ataxia (1).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric metaxalone ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers usually resulted in minor or no effect. Most ingestions did not require hospitalization.