PEDIATRIC CARBAMAZEPINE OVERDOSES

Thirty pediatric cases of carbamazepine overdoses were reviewed retros pectively for the frequency of toxic effects. Patients were divided in to three groups, depending on the type of overdose: acute, acute-on-ch ronic, and chronic. Effects included lethargy in 93%, ataxia in 50%, n ystagmus in 13%, and minor arrhythmias in 10%. Major effects included seizures in 20%, coma in 27%, and need for intubation in 20%. Higher s erum carbamazepine levels were associated with these major effects in the acute and acute-on-chronic groups but not in the chronic group. Se rum levels greater than 35 mg/L (147 mumol/L), were significantly asso ciated with major toxicities.