Pediatric carvedilol ingestions reported to Texas poison centers, 2000 to 2008.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to describe the pattern of pediatric carvedilol ingestions reported to poison centers.

METHODS

Cases were all carvedilol ingestions by patients aged 0 to 5 years reported to Texas poison centers during 2000 to 2008. Multiple substance ingestions and patients not followed up to a final medical outcome were excluded. The distribution of cases by selected demographic and clinical factors was determined, and the mean dose (MD) in milligrams and milligrams per kilogram calculated for those cases where the dose ingested was reported.

RESULTS

Of a total 111 cases, the dose in mg was reported in 67 (mean, 18.2 mg; range, 0.3-200 mg) and in mg/kg was reported in 41 (mean, 1.5 mg/kg; range, 0.1-14.8 mg/kg). Of total cases, 63.1% were males and 36.9% females. The management site was as follows: 23.4% on site (MD, 7.8 mg and 0.6 mg/kg), 37.8% already at or en route to health care facility (MD, 22.7 mg and 2.6 mg/kg), and 38.7% referred to health care facility (MD, 22.1 mg and 1.6 mg/kg). The medical outcome as follows: 97.3% no effect (MD, 18.7 mg and 1.5 mg/kg), 1.8% minor effect (MD, 3.4 mg and 0.5 mg/kg), and 0.9% moderate effect. Adverse clinical effects were reported in 4 cases (3 drowsiness and 1 hypotension).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric ingestions of as much as 200 mg (14.8 mg/kg) reported to Texas poison centers might be expected to result in at most minor effects, although ingestions involving higher doses might be referred to health care facilities.