[Fenfluramin (ponderax) intoxications in children (author's transl)].

4 cases of accidental fenfluramine poisoning in children are reported. Excitation, coma, convulsions, tachycardia, mydriasis, nystagmus, and rubeosis of the face were the most important signs. They appeared 30--60 min after ingestion, and some of them lasted for several days. 2 children had severe trismus and therefore had to be given muscle relaxants before intubation and gastric lavage became possible. These observations agree well with informations collected in our poisoning control center and with previously published data. Less than 5 mg/kg of body weight are toxic, 5--10 mg/kg may produce coma and convulsions, and the smallest lethal doses were 28,7 and 33,3 mg/kg. Early gastric lavage, good monitoring of the vital functions and, if necessary, administration of anticonvulsive drugs, beta-blocking agents, lidocaine, chlorpromazine, and artificial ventilation and cardiac defibrillation are the most important therapeutical measures.