naloxone and Mushroom-Poisoning

Substance abuse is a significant health problem in the adolescent population. Prevention is a formidable challenge, but attempts at discouraging experimentation in early adolescence and the promotion of healthy adult role models may be effective strategies. Questions that may elicit a history suggestive of abuse should be a routine part of the adolescent medical history. Pediatricians should be familiar with the important clinical findings resulting from intoxication with the various substances of abuse and should be able to recognize the "telltale" signs of abuse. Effective management is based on attention to the basics of life support, careful attention to the physical findings, and judicious use of specific therapeutic agents. Above all, a compassionate attitude should prevail if acute-phase recovery and long-term rehabilitation are to be successful.

Topics: Absorption; Adolescent; Adult; Alcoholic Intoxication; Amphetamines; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Benzodiazepines; Cocaine; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Fever; Glucose; Hallucinogens; Humans; Hypotension; Illicit Drugs; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; Marijuana Abuse; Mescaline; Methaqualone; Mushroom Poisoning; Naloxone; Narcotics; Nitrites; Poisoning; Solvents; Substance-Related Disorders

The case of a 6-year-old female who developed hypovolemic shock from mushroom poisoning is discussed. The mushroom ingested, Chlorophyllum molybdites, is considered to be a benign gastrointestinal irritant. This case emphasizes that the gastrointestinal irritant mushrooms can produce severe toxicity and that pediatric patients have a limited capacity for fluid loss before becoming hypovolemic.

Topics: Charcoal; Child; Female; Fluid Therapy; Humans; Mushroom Poisoning; Naloxone; Parenteral Nutrition, Total; Penicillin G; Ranitidine; Shock